FORMER prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin today took aim at Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) in their relentless witch hunt over his government’s spending in Covid-19 pandemic stimulus and aid packages. 

He questioned their motives in attacking Perikatan Nasional (PN) on an almost daily basis, citing the latest arrest of Segambut Bersatu division deputy chief for investigations into the alleged misappropriation of RM92.5 billion being linked to him.

“What are their motives? The answer is simple. PH and BN are afraid of their own shadows. They are anxious over PN gaining the support of at least 62% of Malays and Bumiputeras in the 15th general election.

“I believe they are scared in facing PN’s charge in six state polls in the coming months, so they are resorting to character assassination,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

There have been repeated calls for a royal commission of inquiry to look into the RM600 billion expenditure under Muhyiddin’s administration. 

Several MPs have also accused the Pagoh lawmaker of misusing the funds during the Covid pandemic.

The PN chairman said he did not rule out the possibility that accusations on the RM600 billion were conjured up so that legal action against Bersatu can be taken, with the aim of weakening the party leadership and make things harder for the party in the coming state polls.

Muhyiddin reiterated that not a single sen went into his personal bank account.

“I believe the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) probe so far will find that allegations of RM4.5 billion in Bersatu’s account or mine are false,” he said, pledging the party’s cooperation in the investigations.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously alleged that the PN administration led by Muhyiddin had misappropriated the funds.

International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who was finance minister in Muhyiddin’s government, later quashed the accusation, saying expenditures involving the eight packages were done in a transparent manner.

Last month, Muhyiddin reportedly said that expenditure involving government money in the form of fiscal injections was worth RM83 billion.

He said this included the purchase of vaccines worth RM5 billion and various forms of direct cash assistance for the people such as wage subsidies worth RM20.92 billion, Bantuan Prihatin National worth RM18.2 billion, Geran Khas Prihatin worth RM4.21 billion, Geran Khas Prihatin Permai worth RM842 million, the Bumiputera Easy Financing Scheme worth RM500 million, and other aid that is directly deposited into the accounts of eligible recipients.

MACC had, four days ago, remanded a chief executive officer of a company who acted as a middleman in the distribution of government projects under the Economic Stimulus Package from 2020 to 2022.

According to sources, the 42-year-old man was remanded for five days until today.

MACC has opened several investigation papers against at least five individuals who are believed to be masterminds or middlemen to several companies to obtain projects worth between RM50 million to RM500 million through direct negotiations. – January 10, 2023.