ANN/THE STAR – The unity government may be forced to “drop out” from Putrajaya before the next general election, said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said that the government of “strange bedfellows” could be forced out if they keep attacking him because they fear the influence of Perikatan Nasional (PN).
On March 1, Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said that he expected the government to fall in the near future, but he did not offer details on how it would happen.
He then said on March 6 that “we have the right to plan, and no one can stop us from making plans (to topple the government)“.
On the investigations, Muhyiddin challenged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate People’s Justice Party (PKR) president Anwar Ibrahim and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over allegations of funds received from businessmen.
The Pagoh Member of Parliament (MP) – who is facing corruption charges over misuse of power and bribery – claimed that the MACC will soon seize and foreclose the funds of the party before the pending six state elections.
He said this in an opening speech to about 3,000 party delegates dressed in red at the delayed 2022 Bersatu annual general meeting (AGM) held at Menara PGRM yesterday.
“I offered to stand down as the party president but the supreme council refused to accept it. You delegates too kept standing up telling me to continue. I thank you and will continue my duty to serve the party,” said the former prime minister.
“I was dragged to the courts on Friday (March 10) as I was accused of allegedly misusing my position as the Prime Minister. And on Monday (today), I will be charged again in Shah Alam,” he added.
Muhyiddin then said that he was accused as the Bersatu president and not in his personal capacity.
“I am forced to face a 20-year prison sentence. This is the first time in Malaysia’s history that a party president is charged for receiving funds into the party account,” said Muhyiddin.
“I challenge MACC to investigate PKR president Anwar and UMNO President Ahmad Zahid on the source of funds for their parties. Where does Democratic Action Party (DAP) get their funds from,” he added.
Muhyiddin said political parties do not profit from the funds they receive, and that the members and supporters – including businessmen – contribute funds for its struggle.
“Before the 15th General Election (GE15), UMNO was the main party in the government and the prime minister was from UMNO. Did UMNO not receive any funds from businessmen then? PKR runs Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang. Has the party not received funds from businessmen,” he said.
“Without funds from others, no party can run in a democracy like that of Malaysia,” he added.
Muhyiddin then said that he has been told that the Bersatu accounts will be seized and foreclosed so that the party does not have any funding before the upcoming state polls.
“Vendors of Bersatu are also investigated – those who print our party T-shirts and caps. This is to create fear among those who work with Bersatu,” added Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin also stated that as Bersatu now has 31 seats compared to 14 after the 14th General Election (GE14), the unity government now fears that the trend will continue in the state polls.
