KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has vehemently denied graft allegations levelled against him, calling them “politically motivated”.
Speaking to reporters after being interviewed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at their headquarters in Putrajaya, Muhyiddin said he was bound to be prosecuted despite providing satisfying answers to the agency’s queries.
“Despite explaining myself and all of my actions (to the investigating officers), and knowing that there is no legal basis for them to prosecute me, there have been instructions from the ultimate authorities in the government for me to be prosecuted,” he said.
“So whatever explanation I give, I will still be prosecuted in the end,” he said.
Muhyiddin briefly explained that MACC officers had raised two matters in their investigations, one pertaining to the Jana Wibawa initiative, and another relating to his purported grants of tax exemptions to businessman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary’s foundation.
Muhyiddin also insisted that he had acted with proper due diligence in both instances, and pointed out that any powers to approve lie with the finance minister and the Finance Ministry.
“I have never given any instructions or influenced any decision made by the Finance Ministry.
“I am innocent and these seven charges are merely meant to humiliate me and drag me to court,” he said.
Muhyiddin arrived at the MACC headquarters at 11.20am today and was seen exiting the compound around 8.30pm.
At 5.50pm today, MACC confirmed that Muhyiddin has been arrested and will be brought to the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex tomorrow to be charged.
It is understood that Muhyiddin is released with a MACC bail. – The Vibes, March 9, 2023
