[UPDATED] Muhyiddin probe: we can’t arrest anyone if all cases political, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has responded to critics accusing the investigation into Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was politically motivated, questioning if all cases of corruption should then be ignored. 

Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, stressed that the ongoing probe against the Bersatu president is being done independently by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and that he has no knowledge of the updates of the investigation. 

“To say all cases are motivated by politics, does that mean we can’t arrest (anyone)? All the big corruption cases should be dropped?” he asked.

Anwar also urged critics to look at the facts of each cases before making their own conclusions. 

“I don’t meddle (in cases). I inform all government agencies to look at the cases. Whether you agree or not – look at the case. What are the accusations and charge?”   

“I would like to stress here that those who want to see the country truly be clean and free from corruption should look at the cases one by one, whether it is true they are politically motivated or based on facts.”   

In the cases of the contentious Jana Wibawa initiative and the multi-billion ringgit flood mitigation project awarded based on direct tender, Anwar pointed out that the probe into these matters were based on Finance Ministry documents.   

He said this to reporters after attending the KL Park Festival 2023, here, today.   

The PKR president was asked if the ongoing probe into Muhyiddin in relation to the Jana Wibawa stimulus initiative was politically charged.   

Muhyiddin is set to be questioned by the MACC today and is expected to be charged with corruption tomorrow under the MACC Act 2009. 

Earlier today, Bersatu information chief Datuk Razali Idris had said the latest action against the party president was aimed at destroying Perikatan Nasional’s reputation and disrupting Bersatu’s chances ahead of the upcoming state elections.  

A crowd of supporters had gathered in front of the MACC headquarters this morning in support of Muhyiddin, including Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, supreme council member Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, and Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.   

Yesterday, an MACC source confirmed the politician in question will be charged for corruption over his alleged involvement in the Jana Wibawa scheme.   

Previously, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan was charged with soliciting and receiving bribes worth RM6.9 million to help a private firm secure a central spine road government contract worth RM232 million in 2022.   

Using minister’s power to overwrite decisions allowed under the law  

Meanwhile, asked on Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s move to use his discretion to overwrite the Registrar of Societies (RoS) decision to declare Umno’s resolution not to contest the top two posts as invalid, Anwar said this is not an uncommon practice.   

The premier pointed out that this provision is specifically provided under Societies Act 1966, and that he had similarly overruled decisions made by his officers.   

“In my work at the Prime Minister’s Department and Finance Ministry, there are times when I overwrite the decision of the officers.   

“For instance, previously, officers were instructed to give out contracts under direct negotiation, I overwrote it because I feel that it is better we use (an open) tender process, so that it is more transparent.”   

On Tuesday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had claimed that RoS had initially rules Umno’s no-contest motion as invalid as it violated the party’s constitution, but that the matter was overruled by Saifuddin.   

The home minister had issued a statement earlier that day claiming he had used his discretionary powers under Section 70 of the Societies Act to grant Umno an exception to Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the same act.    

The latter provision states that RoS may deregister any society found to have wilfully contravened any provision within the act or any regulation made thereunder. – The Vibes, March 9, 2023