Muhyiddin says ‘selective prosecution’ to dent Perikatan’s chances in state elections

Ravin Palanisamy Ravin Palanisamy Updated 1 year ago · Published on 21 Feb 2023 11:06AM · 1 Comments

Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyddin Yassin (centre) says it is unsurprising the government should seek to weaken the coalition ahead of six state elections. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 21, 2023.

THE Pakatan Harapan (BN) and Barisan Nasional (BN) unity government is turning to “selective prosecution” to scupper growing support for Perikatan Nasional (PN), Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He was referring to the corruption charges brought against  Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan today in connection with the Jana Wibawa aid programme.

Muhyiddin, who is the PN chairman, said it is unsurprising the government should seek to weaken the coalition ahead of six state elections.

“Selective prosecution is happening at a time when the PH-BN government appears to be failing to solve the people’s problems and is expected to be rejected in the elections in six states,” ,” the former prime minister said at a press conference outside the Kuala Lumpur court complex today.

“Bersatu had expected that this was what the PH-BN government would do to cripple the party after seeing the support for Bersatu and PN grow unexpectedly in the general election.”

PN leaders Hamzah Zainuddin, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee and Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin were present in court this morning to lend moral support to Wan Saiful.

Earlier today, Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful claimed trial to the charge of accepting almost RM7 million in kickbacks in connection with the Jana Wibawa aid programme.  

He was also charged with soliciting for RM232 million in bribes in relation to the same programme to help highly placed Bumiputera contractors affected by the pandemic.

Perikatan Nasional leaders are in court today to lend moral support to their colleague who has been charged with corruption. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 21, 2023.

Muhyiddin emphasised that donations received by Bersatu are from legitimate sources.

The Pagoh MP said PH and BN members had received similar political donations.

“Every political party needs funds to hold activities. 

“The Bersatu constitution allows donations from members, the public and people who support the party’s cause.

“This also includes funds from businessmen who support the party’s struggle.

“There is no law on political funding in Malaysia but today, Bersatu has become the target of selective prosecution for accepting political contributions, which has suddenly become a criminal offence,” Muhyiddin said. 

Muhyiddin said the people will punish the government in the polls for “witch-hunting”. – February 21, 2023.

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Comments

  • Political contributions from well wishers expecting nothing in return are legal in the absence on the law for political funding. But political donations in return for awarding of projects is clearly bribery and cannot be justified as donations. I think this is where most of their money comes from: corruption by awarding projects without tender. Well done MACC and throw all these people robbing the rakyat dry into jail where they belong. If Saiful is cconvicted and hopefully soon, don't give him bail. Lock them up!!!

    Posted 1 year ago by Brave Malaysian · Reply