[UPDATED] Don’t manipulate ethno-religious rhetoric to dodge graft accusations: PM

KUALA LUMPUR – Those facing graft investigations by authorities should avoid using religious and racial rhetoric to refute allegations of misconduct, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

Referring to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) recent move to freeze accounts belonging to Bersatu, Anwar said the party and its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, should provide full cooperation to authorities such as the MACC and police.

“When Umno’s accounts were frozen, (Muhyiddin) vocally defended the professional duties of the MACC. 

“Since Bersatu’s accounts have now been frozen due to (the supposed presence of) large amounts of money linked to policy decisions when (Muhyiddin) was prime minister, they (Bersatu) should be ready to provide their explanations without disrupting authorities.

“It should not be possible for any religion to be used to defend corruption and abuse of power, much less Islam, which strictly rejects principles based on bribery,” Anwar, who is also PKR president, said during a press conference at the party’s headquarters here today.

Anwar noted that if a political party had not committed any wrongdoing, it should not be afraid of anti-corruption investigations.

“If you’re clean, then don’t be scared,” he said.

Last week, 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, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, had subsequently claimed that the move is meant to cripple the Bersatu-led coalition ahead of the upcoming state polls.

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin had also labelled the probe as being “politically motivated” to tarnish the party and PN’s reputation in the eyes of voters.

The six states that are due to hold elections by the middle of the year are Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu. – The Vibes, February 6, 2023