[UPDATED] Investigate Anwar, Zahid for party fund sources too, Muhyiddin tells MACC

KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional  (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has thrown the gauntlet to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate both PKR and Umno over their source of political funds, instead of selectively investigating Bersatu. 

In his policy speech during Bersatu’s annual general assembly today, Muhyiddin said the graft charges laid against him is the first time in the country that a president of a political party was charged for political donations. 

Muhyiddin said it was normal for political parties, including Bersatu, to receive funds from the general public as well as local businessmen who wanted to support their struggle.  

Chiding the new set convention by the MACC, the Pagoh MP then urged MACC to do the same for the leading parties in the unity government, as they too have gained political donations from the same means. 

“I want to challenge MACC to investigate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi. Both of them are the presidents of PKR and Umno, respectively.  

“Please investigate the source of PKR and Umno’s funds. Didn’t they receive funds from businessmen as well? 

“Before GE15, Umno was the main party of the federal government. The prime minister then was from Umno (and) the party also led the state government in Perlis, Perak, Pahang, Melaka and Johor. Didn’t Umno receive political donations from local businessmen as well? 

“PKR also led Selangor and Negri Sembilan while DAP led Pulau Pinang. Didn’t PKR and DAP take political donations from local businessman too?,’’ said Muhyiddin to an affirming voice from the Bersatu gallery in attendance at Menara PGRM today.

In a fiery speech, Muhyiddin said the unity government was afraid of Bersatu and PN following the coalition’s success in GE15, securing large support from the Malay community.

Fearing the inevitable in the coming state elections, Muhyiddin further claimed that the unity government has engaged in political persecution against Bersatu – slapping its leaders with criminal charges and confiscating the party’s bank accounts. 

“I just found out that Bersatu’s account will be seized. Why? This is the party’s account, not my personal bank account. 

“They also fear us to the extent that they even have to investigate Bersatu’s vendors and suppliers. These businesses just help us to prepare hats, shirts and banners. 

“What is the purpose of investigating them? They have nothing to do with any political donations towards Bersatu. They render certain services and we just pay them for goods and services. 

“I see no other reason that this is done to scare third parties from dealing with Bersatu, despite all affairs having been done lawfully. 

“All this is done to cripple Bersatu and subsequently crippling Perikatan Nasional in the process,’’ he said. 

Muhyiddin also denied that funds received for the party is from illicit funds as alleged by their political opponents. 

Similarly, Muhyiddin explained Bersatu received their funds from credible sources including billionaire Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Syed Al-Bukhary, who is also his longtime friend. 

“A large part of funds received by Bersatu is from Syed Mokhtar, a good friend of mine. He is also a well-known Malay billionaire philanthropist that often gave charities to good causes. 

“I don’t think his contributions to Bersatu are from gambling activities. He is not a gambling tycoon,” he said. 

Muhyiddin, 76, was recently slapped with a total of six corruption-related charges at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court on Friday – four for abuse of power involving RM232.5 million and two charges of receiving RM195 million in illicit funds. He has claimed trial to all charges. 

The Pagoh MP is expected to face an additional charge under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 tomorrow. – The Vibes, March 12, 2023