[UPDATED] Bersatu supreme council rejects Muhyiddin’s resignation as president

KUALA LUMPUR – The Bersatu supreme council has unanimously decided to reject Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as the party’s president in the wake of the graft charges laid against him earlier this week.

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the decision was made during the council’s meeting tonight.

“This is because the supreme council emphasises that the charges against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were made in his position as president of Bersatu and not in his personal capacity.

“The supreme council requests all members and supporters to be patient and calm in the face of a great test with slander and cruelty faced by the president and the Bersatu party,” he said in a statement issued after the meeting.

Hamzah also said that the meeting, chaired by Muhyiddin, also received reports from the party’s Srikandi and Armada wings – both of which had finished holding their annual general meetings. 

He said the supreme council also extended its congratulations to the new wing for young women (Srikandi Muda) who also successfully organised its first convention today.

Muhyiddin, 76, was slapped with a total of six counts of graft at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court yesterday – 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 and PN chairman 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 on Monday.

Speaking during a solidarity gathering held for him at the Pas’ Tarbiyah centre tonight, Muhyiddin said that he has never committed a crime throughout his life.

“Personally, I have never faced a problem involving breaking the law in the whole of my life,” he said in his speech. 

“I have never had to pay a traffic fine,” he said. 

Muhyiddin added that he always adheres to the principle of opposing abuse of power and corruption in all forms. 

He claimed that the charges that were read out to him and another that will be read out on Monday do not involve him personally. 

He reiterated that he is a victim of selective political persecution, as he is the leader of both Perikatan Nasional and Bersatu. – The Vibes, March 11, 2023