MALAYSIA —  Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Tan Sri Azam Baki, has confirmed that the President of BERSATU (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin,  is expected to be charged in court on Friday (10 March)

The statement confirms that the Member of Parliament for Pagoh and Chairman of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) who has been questioned by the MACC Putrajaya, was not brought to court today (9 March).

“Tomorrow, he is expected to be charged. Not today,” Azam said when contacted by local news portal Berita Harian today.

The MACC is expected to issue an official statement soon.

Muhyiddin Yassin, the former prime minister was earlier confirmed in his Facebook post that he was summoned to the MACC for the second time, and refuted the claims by a news report that he was arrested while playing golf.

He was seen arrived at the MACC headquarters at 11:18 am to provide statements related to the alleged abuse of government funds in the Jana Wibawa Bumiputera Contractor Empowerment Programme (Jana Wibawa).

Berita Harian also reported that BERSATU party has filed a judicial review application to challenge the decision of the MACC to freeze its bank account for investigation purposes.

The party alleged that the commission abused its power by pursuing politically motivated prosecution against the leadership of BERSATU, Perikatan Nasional (PN) or Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin sought an interim order to allow him to travel abroad

According to court documents, the BERSATU president also sought an interim order to allow him to travel freely and travel abroad without restriction.

Muhyiddin is scheduled to travel to London on 14 and 15 April as the keynote speaker at the first annual Global Council for Political Renewal (GCPR) conference.

According to the application, immigration recently imposed a travel ban on Muhyiddin “unlawfully and without any reasonable cause” and without giving formal notice.

Meanwhile, BERSATU Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, said that Muhyiddin Yassin had previously stated that he was not guilty of the Jana Wibawa embezzlement allegations.

“Based on previous discussions, he expressed confidence in his innocence,” he told reporters after Muhyiddin entered the MACC building today.

On 18 February, Muhyiddin confirmed that he was summoned by the MACC to give a statement regarding Jana Wibawa as a witness, not a suspect.

However, the next day, the MACC confirmed that the former Prime Minister was among the suspects being investigated in connection with the case and the investigation against him is still ongoing.

PN MPs skips Parliament sitting to show solidarity for Muhyiddin 

Most of the 74 Perikatan Nasional MPs are absent from the Parliament sitting on Thursday to show solidarity for Muhyiddin outside the MACC headquarters.

Supporters of Muhyiddin can be seen gathering outside of the MACC building this morning as he attends the interview.

Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Former Menteri Besar of Perak shared on his Facebook page, wrote: “Solidarity for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the MACC building in Putrajaya together with friends from the Perikatan Nasional.”

“God willing, tonight a special prayer will be held at the PAS Tarbiyyah Center in Taman Melewar. Supporters of Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional throughout the country are also urged to pray and supplicate in their respective places.”

The MACC launched an investigation into the Jana Wibawa projects, introduced during Muhyiddin’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The agency is investigating claims that selected contractors allegedly funnelled RM300 million (US$68 million) worth of political funds into the BERSATU party account.

Almost all the donors who contributed to the party’s accounts were contractors who were awarded government contracts during Muhyiddin’s premiership as the 8th prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021.

Two bank accounts belonging to BERSATU, with a total balance of RM40 million, have been frozen by the MACC.

The MACC has already charged the party’s information chief, Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Segambut division deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad with corruption charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki confirmed on 2 February that the commission froze several Bersatu bank accounts as part of its investigations into the alleged embezzlement of RM600 billion in funds used by the previous Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led government during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022.

Calls for an official investigation into the stimulus spending during the pandemic grew after there were perceptions that PN ran a well-funded election campaign leading up to the 15th General Elections on 19 November last year.

Muhyiddin, who is the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, has since denied the allegations, calling it an attempt to silence the opposition by the new unity government.

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