KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today likened his successor, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to Datuk Seri Najib Razak in relation to allegations of corruption in buying parliamentary support.
In a virtual press conference today, the Pejuang chairman noted how a number of MPs have been offered positions in the Perikatan Nasional government, including Simpang Renggam’s independent lawmaker, Maszlee Malik, and Muda’s Muar MP, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Maszlee and Syed Saddiq were with Dr Mahathir in Bersatu before they left to form Pejuang, following the infamous Sheraton Move last year. Both lawmakers have since parted ways.
Dr Mahathir also accused Muhyiddin of impeding the official registration of his party, Pejuang, an action that he said is similar to Barisan Nasional’s decision not to register Bersatu and Pakatan Harapan prior to the 14th general election.
“Surely Muhyiddin knows that Najib did not allow the registration of Bersatu and PH, which was why we contested under the PKR banner. This is illegal, as it is against the constitution.”
Asked if that means Muhyiddin is following in Najib’s footstep, Dr Mahathir said: “Yes, of course. We also found that his methods are similar to Najib’s, in that he uses money to buy support.
“He offered positions with high salaries to those who supported him, including ministers, deputy ministers and special envoys. The only difference is, Muhyiddin doesn’t steal money, but he uses his power and money to obtain support.
“Many were offered positions, including Maszlee and Syed Saddiq. I’m not sure why I wasn’t offered anything,” he said sarcastically.
He once again questioned the efficacy of the emergency declared to contain Covid-19, saying it has clearly failed to curb the spread of the disease, pointing to rising daily cases.
Despite increasing calls for Muhyiddin to resign, said Dr Mahathir, the emergency has granted the prime minister unfettered powers when he holds only a slim majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
We are in a situation where our government is worse than a dictator, because they can do whatever they want at the expense of the rakyat.”
Dr Mahathir said he on Monday wrote a personal letter to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, seeking for the royal to step in and address the issues faced by the people.
This is in addition to a memorandum submitted by the Committee for the Secession of the Emergency Proclamation on April 21, seeking an audience with the king.
Dr Mahathir said the palace has yet to respond to both letters. – The Vibes, June 3, 2021
