MUHYIDDIN Yassin has dismissed an allegation by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that Perikatan Nasional (PN) received funding from gambling companies for its general election campaign.

The PN chairman said Anwar had not backed his implicit suggestion that the coalition had received illicit funds with substantial evidence.  

“Yes, it is slanderous, where is the evidence? It is so easy to throw such accusations. We have principles. Even if we want to accept support, we will not accept from ‘haram’ (forbidden) sources. And I am well aware that gambling is ‘haram’.

“So, I don’t know how the prime minister came up with such a serious allegation just because we won (many seats).

“Just because we had a lot of flags or mobilised our machinery effectively and beat them to the point that Umno suffered hefty defeats in eight states,” he was quoted as saying at a conference after a PN’s mega rally in Taman Selasih last night.

Yesterday, Anwar made a remark suggesting that PN’s funds for its election campaign came from gaming companies.

“On the issue of gambling, certainly this is partly used to finance elections. (I have asked for) checks on that.

“Whether you call yourself a Malay party or Islamic party, notwithstanding, the (election) funds came from gaming companies,” Anwar was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini after chairing a special cabinet meeting.

In a statement, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said it wanted Anwar to provide evidence that Perikatan Nasional received political funding from gaming companies during the general election.

He said PN will consider legal action if Anwar failed to show proof to back his claims.

“PAS regrets the slanderous accusation made by the prime minister, which implied that PN’s election funds came from gaming companies.

“If he is unable to do so, PN will consider legal action.” – December 6, 2022.