FORMER prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin today alleged the decision to charge him with corruption was made by the most powerful party in the national administration prior to his arrest yesterday, adding the charges were decided upon even before the investigation was complete.

“They used enforcement agencies as tools to achieve their political goals.

“Obviously, the prosecution was a form of planned political predation. It was an organised political persecution,” Muhyiddin said after proceedings at Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

He was earlier charged with four counts of abuse of power, accused of RM232.5 million in gratification.

He also faces two additional charges of money laundering, of which he is alleged to have received RM195 million in proceeds from illegal activities.

The Bersatu leader denied all six charges.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin said this form of selective prosecution was intentional, carried out by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), solely to paralyse and destroy Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN). 

He said the charges were designed to smear him, and destroy his party and PN ahead of state elections later this year.

“I accept this charge against me with patience. I know deep down in the political world, many enemies – especially greedy enemies – want to destroy me, my family and my party.

“This is the path that I have chosen. I do not choose to collude or submit to their false insistence. I choose to stand upright on the principles I hold.”

He also told Bersatu members and supporters of PN to remain calm.

“Give me a chance to defend myself through the legal process. Do not take to the streets to defend me.

“My legal team and I will work hard to get justice in court. I will leave my fate to God and a just judge.”

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the Bersatu supreme council will decide if he is still fit to lead the party.

“I was appointed president of Bersatu by party members, so I leave it to the supreme council to decide my position.” – March 10, 2023.