[UPDATED] Bersatu’s account freeze meant to cripple state poll prep? Muhyiddin asks 

KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has questioned the actual motivation behind the freezing of Bersatu’s accounts, querying if it is meant to cripple the coalition’s efforts ahead of the upcoming state elections. 

Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, said with the polls due to be held by the middle of this year, the party needs all its funds to ensure proper preparations can be done. 

He added that Bersatu will officially write to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today to request the cancellation of freezing, saying that the action taken by the anti-graft body would impede the management of the party.

“Bersatu needs funds to campaign for the six state elections. I hope the actual motive behind the freezing of the party’s accounts is not to cripple PN and Bersatu’s machinery for the polls. 

“Some people have said the action taken (against us) is politically motivated. If this continues it will certainly hinder all our election activities, including assisting our other partners in PN.” 

The six states that are due to hold elections by the middle of the year are Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu. 

Muhyiddin said the party’s funds are especially crucial to ensure the everyday running of the organisation, including payment of salaries to its officers as well as other financial commitments. 

“That is why we are asking that, after MACC has conducted its check and found there is no misappropriation, power abuse, or funds entering illegally, the freezing of our accounts can be immediately lifted. 

“I believe MACC will conduct its investigation in a transparent manner, and I provide my assurance that Bersatu will give its full cooperation in the probe,” he said after chairing a PN MPs retreat here today. 

Yesterday, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had confirmed that Bersatu’s accounts have been frozen for investigations under money laundering laws over suspicion of receiving illegal proceeds. 

The probe is currently being conducted under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act. 

The investigation is believed to be related to the RM92.5 billion in economic stimulus funds that were allegedly misappropriated when Muhyiddin was prime minister. 

Muhyiddin expressed confidence that the probe by MACC will eventually clear Bersatu’s name of any wrongdoing, and that the allegations of billions of ringgit being moved into its accounts are false. 

He noted that its accounts from previous years have also been audited and in line with the requirements by the Registrar of Societies, with no extraordinary findings. 

“The total amount of money entering the accounts and their balances are all within MACC’s knowledge. 

“I am confident the records of the movement of money in Bersatu are in order and come from legitimate sources,” he said, while also denying syphoning any public funds through his own accounts. – The Vibes, February 2, 2023