POLITICAL leaders should not use religion to defend themselves against corruption charges, Anwar Ibrahim said today.  

Referring to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) decision to freeze Bersatu’s bank accounts, the PKR president said the move was not new in politics and urged them not to use religion as an excuse. 

“I make this appeal because I see that sometimes trivial religious reasons are being used.  

“I don’t think any religion should be used to defend corruption and abuse of power, what more Islam, which firmly rejects abuse of power and facades in the system that originates mainly from corruption,” Anwar said in a press conference at party headquarters today.  

Last week, MACC chief Azam Baki confirmed that Bersatu’s accounts had been frozen under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.     

This is believed to be linked to the alleged misuse of RM600 billion in government funds during the Covid-19 pandemic under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.  

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin reacted by accusing the unity government of using MACC as a political tool to destroy PN.

Anwar then urged Bersatu’s president Muhyiddin Yassin to take a step back and allow the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.  

The PM said that Muhyiddin had nothing to fear if they were clean as claimed.  

“When Umno’s party accounts were frozen (in 2018), Muhyiddin even supported MACC’s professionalism.  

“Now the freezing is done against Bersatu’s account because the amount is huge and it is also associated with some government decisions under his administration. 

“They should be prepared to give explanations where necessary and not interfere with the enforcement agencies, be it the police, income tax department, or MACC and then if there is a prosecution (against the party), let the judiciary act independently,” Anwar said.  

Earlier today, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the party received huge contributions from corporate companies and businesses.  

He said these transactions were recorded in its bank accounts. – February 6, 2023.