PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today warned Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin against challenging his government on the issue of the RM600 billion that was allegedly misappropriated by the latter’s government.
The prime minister said that, based on information obtained, there were some processes and procedures that were not followed by the PN government and that there were companies with interests or involving families.
“So, don’t challenge me. I want to focus on governing the country, driving economic growth and providing welfare to the people.
“But, once we are challenged, we will have to look into things,” said Anwar in his first press conference as finance minister.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin told a media conference, after delivering a speech at the PN Grand Finale talk in conjunction with the Padang Serai by-election, that Anwar should investigate the matter pertaining to the RM600 billion before making any statements.
Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, cast doubt on the statement Muhyiddin made when he was prime minister, claiming that it was misleading.
“The statement is misleading, it is as if the government spent so much money for the people, (but) a large amount is actually EPF (Employees Provident Fund) money which belongs to the people. I commented on this two years ago in Parliament.
“The people thought the government was spending so much (for them). Now he (Muhyiddin) has admitted, actually, it was not the government’s money because the money is EPF money and money belonging to banks through the moratorium.
“But there are other tens of billions of ringgit, which shows there is a violation of the rules,” he said.
On a statement made by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan who asked the prime minister to provide evidence that Perikatan Nasional’s GE15 campaign funds had come from gaming companies, Anwar advised him not to be hasty with his remarks.
“Don’t be hasty because I am now the finance minister, I have the file,” he added. – Bernama, December 6, 2022