PUTRAJAYA is not using the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to force opposition lawmakers to quit their parties and join Bersatu, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He was commenting on reports that the police are now targeting several Umno divisions which had allegedly received money stolen from scandal-ridden 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The prime minister was asked at a press conference today if the government is using law enforcement agencies to force Umno lawmakers into joining Bersatu.

“It so happened they were people who committed crimes. If Umno members didn’t commit crimes, they are not investigated,” Dr Mahathir said today.

“The police know all about it and they are investigating many people.”

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa had hinted yesterday that Jeli MP and former Umno Supreme Council member Mustapa Mohamed had resigned on Tuesday because he was being investigated.

Mustapa admitted later that he along with several other Kelantan Umno leaders were called in for questioning by the police over funds they had received.

Dr Mahathir, who is also the Bersatu chairman, said those who are being investigated have many allegations against them.

“We in the party have already accused them but the police now have information and they should act.

“I don’t care (who they are). If they have committed crimes, the police will do their jobs without any direction from me,” said the 93-year-old.

When asked again whether Bersatu was enticing Umno MPs, Dr Mahathir said: “They come to see me because I see everybody. After they come and see me, they go and see PAS.

“We are free. Not like before when you see some people, the income tax (department) will come after them. We are not sending income tax (department) after people but if there is a case against them the police will act in a normal way.”

Dr Mahathir was referring to the time when Pakatan Harapan (PH) was the opposition. The Najib administration then had allegedly used the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to come down on those who were close to PH.

He also denied that former Umno vice-president and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein had asked to join Bersatu.

It was reported earlier that Hishammuddin had met Dr Mahathir in Putrajaya last weekend. There was speculation that the Umno man had wanted to join Bersatu.

But Dr Mahathir brushed this off.

“He came to see me. He didn’t say anything about joining. He has his own ideas. You better ask him,” he added. – September 21, 2018.