DR Mahathir Mohamad today questioned a Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement denying Muhyiddin Yassin had a role in the controversial decision to grant Riza Aziz a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in his money-laundering case.

On his blog, the former prime minister expressed surprise at the statement, saying to his knowledge, no one has accused Muhyiddin of playing a part in the decision.

“I am surprised with the statement from PMO explaining that the PM was not involved in Riza’s case.

“No one is accusing the PM as far as I know.”

Riza, the stepson of former prime minister Najib Razak, was charged with five counts of receiving proceeds from an unlawful activity totalling US$248 million (RM1.08 billion) linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd between April 2011 and November 2012.

However, the government struck a deal to drop the charges in return for the recovery of overseas assets linked to the state investor estimated at US$107.3 million.

As part of the agreement, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on May 14 allowed an application by the prosecution for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in Riza’s case.

The PMO statement yesterday read: “The PM repeats his stance to not interfere with the dealings of the AGC (Attorney-General’s Chambers) and judiciary in making any decision involving criminal cases in this country, especially high-profile cases.”

Dr Mahathir said the statement is similar to one issued by Muhyiddin stating he had no intention of becoming prime minister.

“But in the end, he ruined his own party to pursue his desire.”

The Riza deal also sparked controversy after Attorney-General Idrus Harun said his predecessor, Tommy Thomas, had agreed to it in principle.

Thomas has said he never would have sanctioned the agreement, and that he would be betraying the previous Pakatan Harapan government and Dr Mahathir if he did. – May 20, 2020.