THE government has embarked on a witch hunt, Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said following the arrest of the party’s treasurer.

He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had no reason to detain Mohamed Salleh Bajuri.

Hamzah said the government was bent on persecuting Bersatu leaders.

“There is no cause for the MACC to remand Salleh because he has been fully cooperative,” said Hamzah in a statement today.

He said the authorities were trying to find “non-existent fault”.

Salleh was arrested yesterday and remanded for two days to assist in investigations into the use of party funds.

Hamzah said the government is also investigating Bersatu vendors.

“The Bersatu financial statement is audited every year and approved at the annual general meeting. Nothing irregular has ever been found in the financial statements, which are certified by a licensed auditor.

“Salleh, as an honest and trustworthy treasurer, ensured that all of Bersatu’s acquisitions went through the party’s processes and procedures.” 

Hamzah said the government must accept the fact that Bersatu’s top leadership has not committed any crime.

Prior to Salleh’s arrest, Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan was charged with corruption.

Last month, the MACC questioned Bersatu president and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin in connection with a probe into the party’s finances. The party’s bank accounts have been frozen. – March 4, 2023.