ANWAR Ibrahim’s former right-hand man Azmin Ali today lambasted his ex-boss, alleging the prime minister had sacrificed his principles when he conspired to release top Umno leaders charged with corruption.

Azmin, who is now the Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief, also questioned the silence of Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders and supporters over the case of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid was this week granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.

“Where are the PH supporters. Where is (DAP chairman) Lim Guan Eng, where is (Amanah president) Mat Sabu?” Azmin said

“There must be principles to reject corruption and theft but because he (Anwar) wants to be the prime minister, he is willing to sacrifice his principles and struggles.

“He appointed a corrupt person as his deputy.”

Azmin was speaking at the PN Simpang Jeram programme in Kampung Parit Keroma Darat, Muar, last night.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Kelantan Menteri Besar Nassuruddin Daud and Muafakat Nasional chairman Annuar Musa were also present.

Azmin said Anwar is no longer the person he used to be.

“In the past Anwar taught us to fight corruption; today he embraces corruption,” said Azmin

“He made a promise to the nation. He made a promise to the people of Johor and he called us to go out to the streets against kleptocrats and the corrupt.

“Today he mingles with the corrupt.

“(We) must fight Anwar Ibrahim.”

On Monday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court discharged Zahid on 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving the funds of Yayasan Akalbudi.

This was after the same court had ruled in January that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused. Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah had said then that the prosecution, which had called 99 witnesses, had proved the charges against Zahid.

Yesterday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted and freed Kinabatangan MPt Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Zizie Izette Abdul Samad of three corruption charges involving RM2.8 million.

Also freed yesterday was former Permatang Pasir assemblyman and Amanah central committee member, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, who was granted a DNAA on a charge of outraging the modesty of a sales assistant two years ago. – September 8, 2023.