Amidst allegations of “political persecution”, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s possible corruption charges will not dent Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) chances in the upcoming state elections in Malaysia.
Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk added that the former prime minister’s image as ‘Mr Clean’ would also not be dented. Muhyiddin is expected to be charged with graft in court tomorrow.
Muhyiddin, who has been linked to the Jana Wibawa scandal, was at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya this morning to give his statement.
“It will take a lot to convince Muhyiddin’s supporters that he is guilty, just like it took a long time for people to believe that Datuk Seri Najib Razak was guilty of corruption,” said Azeem, director of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research and International Studies.
Najib, Malaysia’s sixth prime minister, is currently serving time in prison after being found guilty of several counts of corruption, involving SRC International.
Azeem highlighted that DAP chairman, Lim Guan Eng, was also charged with corruption, but support for the politician, and the party remained strong – particularly in Penang.
“Even if Muhyiddin is charged with graft (tomorrow), it is a bailable offence. He will be out soon and on the campaign trail for the state elections.
“Muhyiddin’s arrest will not affect the so-called ‘Green Wave’, especially in the Malay belt of Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan.”
The Jana Wibawa programme – a Covid-19 stimulus initiative to help Bumiputera contractors – was introduced by Muhyiddin during his time in office.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, discovered a breach in procedures in the handling of RM600 billion in public funds during Muhyiddin’s short stint in Putrajaya. Muhyiddin is also president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
In February, graft busters froze Bersatu’s accounts to probe monies allegedly obtained from illegal proceeds. The party’s information chief, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, was later charged, and claimed trial to accepting close to RM7 million in bribes in relation to Jana Wibawa.
PN, a new political coalition in the country, gave the more popular Pakatan Harapan a run for its money in the 15th General Election held on Nov 19, winning 74 parliamentary seats.
Observers believe it stands a fair chance in the state polls, which will be held in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor.
Azeem does not believe there is a trend to punish former prime ministers.
“The government must investigate Muhyiddin, if there is evidence of wrongdoing, and ensure that everything is above board. The fact that he is a former prime minister, should not matter,” said Azeem.
“Many take this (arrest) with a pinch of salt because the critics argue that the MACC is not neutral, and is being used as a tool by those in power. As such, it is up to those in government to provide the evidence.”
Bersatu supporters described Muhyiddin’s legal troubles as “political persecution”, ahead of the state polls.
Anwar, however, denied the probe was politically motivated.
“Muhyiddin’s arrest will be interpreted by his supporters as a move by Anwar against a political rival. That is what they want to believe,” he added.
Azeem also questioned Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s decision to invoke Section 70 of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 832) in allowing Umno to forego elections for its top two posts.
Azeem said the Home Ministry’s overruling of the Registrar of Society’s (ROS) decision with regard to the elections for Umno’s top two posts, effectively secured Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s position as president.
Azeem said Anwar cannot claim that his government is clean, as Ahmad Zahid, who is Anwar’s deputy, is facing 47 corruption charges.
There were fears that if Ahmad Zahid lost the Umno presidency, the party would withdraw its support for Anwar, causing the ‘unity government’ to collapse.
Pakatan Harapan failed to win a majority of 112 seats in Malaysia’s 15th General Election last November.
The coalition was forced to join forces with political rivals Umno and Barisan Nasional, and several other parties, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, to form the government.
Azeem also said that the government had failed in its reform agenda, and had not tackled the rising cost of living in Malaysia.
Muhyiddin, earlier this week, questioned why the Cost of Living Action Council had not met since Dec 13.
“The government should address the people’s struggle to put food on the table. That is their big concern, not which politician goes to jail,” said Azeem.
“If the government can solve the people’s problems, they will get more support, especially when they take down the corrupt,” he added.
