INTERVIEW | In a sarcastic swipe, Muhyiddin Yassin has accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of resorting to “silat” in a desperate attempt to free himself after becoming entangled in his own “web”.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, the former premier also took a swipe at Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil over his explanation regarding Anwar’s recent official trips, which spanned three continents and involved five countries.
Without mincing words, he told Fahmi, who is the government spokesperson, not to be “stupid”.
“I see him (Anwar) ‘bersilat’ (in Parliament), outside of Parliament… the communications minister answered, after which an officer also explained.
“Then the prime minister (again) responded to the minister. What does that mean? He (Anwar) only wants to find a way out of the trap that he created,” said the Perikatan Nasional chairperson.
Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, said that he never took his children along on official flights when he was prime minister.
“I was tempted, there were offers made but I said ‘no’. That’s the rule,” he stressed, alluding to criticisms regarding Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah’s presence at several events during the official trips.
Fahmi later explained that the organisers had invited Nurul Izzah.
Anwar’s statement in Dewan Rakyat
Two days after returning to Malaysia on Nov 19, Anwar, during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, responded to queries on the costs of the 11-day trip.
He said the government had engaged with private companies as a means of cutting down on travel expenses.
“Meaning, if I am not mistaken, around 70 to 80 percent of the flight costs were covered by these private companies that had business and investment interests in the countries because the government helps these companies whether they are importing or exporting,” he added.
However, Parliament’s Hansard showed that Anwar did not explain that the private companies had only paid for their share of the travel expenses, and not the government’s, which Fahmi revealed later.
MACC must investigate
Muhyiddin was appointed as Malaysia’s eighth prime minister on March 1, 2020, during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic which brought upon domestic and international travel restrictions.
The Pagoh MP resigned on Aug 16, 2021, after 17 months in office, during which he went on five official visits abroad - twice to Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Brunei.
Recalling his official trips, Muhyiddin said prime ministers would use the official plane when representing Malaysia abroad.
“Or if we want to use a different jet, it must be chartered. But there are no business people on board.
“What if he (Anwar) said (to the business people), ‘please pay for my bills?’” he asked.
On Nov 25, Anwar clarified that his portion of the travel expenses using a chartered Malaysia Airlines aircraft amounted to RM1.6 million and were all covered by the government.
Anwar added the balance of seats was offered to an undisclosed number of private companies that in total paid RM4.5 million for their share of the flight costs.
Muhyiddin, however, said: “Chartering a flight is not like renting a car. So when the prime minister issued such statements, he now tries to deflect (questions).”
He also reminded Anwar that the government had in 2022 issued a directive for all government servants not to receive any form of donations or gratification that could lead to corruption.
He said Anwar as prime minister and finance minister should have been advised to avoid any situations that could create a negative public perception.
“Rather than people talking bad about you, don’t do it. This one is more than bad.
“So my question is, and I have said it before, will the MACC investigate this? To be fair, they must,” he stressed.
‘Don’t be a stupid minister’
Muhyiddin also hit out at Fahmi for stating that by using a specially chartered aircraft, Putrajaya saved RM900,000 from an initial estimated cost of up to RM2.5 million.
“Please don’t lie. In the past, during my time, during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s time, we all went overseas. Usually, you cannot bring along the private sector.
“If they wanted to fly, they wanted to take the boat... they would go on their own, and meet us at the hotel. They booked their own hotels, their own flights [...] Only during relevant meetings, the business people would be there and they left on their own.
“So there is no speculation (of corruption). Don’t give excuses, don’t be a stupid minister! This is our country and we have rules,” he added.
In clarifying Anwar’s initial response in the Dewan Rakyat, Fahmi pointed out the accompanying companies had investment interests, such as Petronas, which has investments of up to US$6 billion (RM26.8 billion) in Brazil.
Other than opposition politicians, the CSO Platform for Reform also previously issued a statement which expressed concerns about private-sector funding undermining the government’s integrity.
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