Government may 'drop out' before next general election, says Muhyiddin

 

The unity government may be forced to "drop out" from Putrajaya before the next general election, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

He said that the government of "strange bedfellows" could be forced out if they keep attacking him because they fear the influence of Perikatan Nasional.

On March 1, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said that he expected the government to fall in the near future, but he did not offer details on how it would happen.

He then said on March 6 that; "we have the right to plan, and no one can stop us from making plans (to topple the government)."

On the investigations, Muhyiddin challenged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over allegations of funds received from businessmen.

The Pagoh MP - who is facing corruption charges over misuse of power and bribery - claimed that the MACC will soon seize and foreclose the funds of the party before the pending six state elections.

He said this in an opening speech to about 3,000 party delegates dressed in red at the delayed 2022 Bersatu annual general meeting held at Menara PGRM on Sunday (March 12).

"I offered to stand down as the party president but the supreme council refused to accept it. You delegates too kept standing up telling me to continue. I thank you and will continue my duty to serve the party," said the former prime minister.

"I was dragged to the courts on Friday (March 10) as I was accused of allegedly misusing my position as the Prime Minister. And on Monday (March 13), I will be charged again in Shah Alam," he added.

Muhyiddin then said that he was accused as the Bersatu president and not in his personal capacity.

"I am forced to face a 20-year prison sentence. This is the first time in Malaysia's history that a party president is charged for receiving funds into the party account," said Muhyiddin.

"I challenge MACC to investigate PKR president Anwar and Umno President Ahmad Zahid on the source of funds for their parties. Where does DAP get their funds from," he added.

Muhyiddin said political parties do not profit from the funds they receive, and that the members and supporters - including businessmen - contribute funds for its struggle.

"Before GE15, Umno was the main party in the government and the Prime Minister was from Umno. Did Umno not receive any funds from businessmen then? PKR runs Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang. Has the party not received funds from businessmen," he said.

"Without funds from others, no party can run in a democracy like that of Malaysia," he added.

Muhyiddin then said that he has been told that the Bersatu accounts will be seized and foreclosed so that the party does not have any funding before the upcoming state polls.

"Vendors of Bersatu are also investigated - those who print our party T-shirts and caps. This is to create fear among those who work with Bersatu," added Muhyiddin

Muhyiddin also stated that as Bersatu now has 31 seats compared to 14 after the 14th General Election, the unity government now fears that the trend will continue in the state polls.

"A survey by the mainstream media failed to give more than 50% marks to the current Cabinet ministers. This government may even drop out before the 16th general election, even though they may have two third majority in Parliament right now," he said.

"They claimed that they are a unity government but it s a 'hoi ya hoi' government and strange bedfellows. They even fight among themselves in Parliament," added Muhyiddin.

On March 10, Muhyiddin was charged with four counts of abuse of power for using his position as the then PM when his party allegedly obtained gratification of RM232.5 million in bribes from corporate entities.

He also faces two more charges of money laundering, wherein his party received RM195 million out of the total sum from illegal activities.

According to the charges, the money was deposited into Bersatu’s bank accounts in bribes from three companies and an individual.

The companies are Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, while the individual is one Datuk Azman Yusoff.

For the remaining two charges, he was charged with receiving proceeds from illegal activities amounting to RM195 million out of the RM232.5 million from Bukhary Equity. - Star