KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has claimed that all government expenditure related to the Jana Wibawa initiative was at the discretion of Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who served as finance minister during his administration.
Following his arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) earlier today, Muhyiddin reiterated that he had always acted in accordance with the law to ensure that he did not abuse his position during his tenure as prime minister.
Muhyiddin noted that he was perplexed at his coming prosecution for graft allegations surrounding Jana Wibawa, despite not being the authority that reviewed or granted approvals to any company vying for contracts under the initiative.
“All processes or deliberations to award any companies (were done by the Finance Ministry), but I am to be charged instead for abusing my power.
“So where in such instances did I abuse my position?
“No parties committed any wrongdoing because when (the project) tender was approved, it was in accordance with the law because it was approved by the finance minister,” said Muhyddin during a ceramah this evening.
Similarly, Muhyiddin also said that he did not personally approve of a purported tax exemption sought by businessman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary for his foundation.
The Pagoh MP also recalled that Lim Guan Eng, during his tenure as finance minister in the 2018 Pakatan Harapan administration, had cancelled the application by Syed Mokhtar’s foundation for a tax exemption.
Muhyiddin said the foundation, responsible for many charitable endeavours, had applied for a tax break under the previous Barisan Nasional administration.
Muhyiddin said the matter was forwarded to the Finance Ministry for due diligence and decision-making.
Tengku Zafrul was in charge of the finance portfolio under Muhyiddin, as he was in Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration.
Muhyiddin, along with several senior PN leaders, said this during the solat hajat prayers in Taman Melewar, Gombak earlier this evening.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin was arrested by MACC after providing his statement to investigating officers for nearly nine hours.
Muhyiddin also stressed that the criminal charges against him are political in nature.
“It is them (the government) who have abused their powers by using MACC against us. Why? They are afraid of PN,” he said.
He claimed that PN secured nearly 80% of the Malay votes in the recently concluded general election. – The Vibes, March 9, 2023
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