Muhyiddin's prosecution done lawfully, independently, says Comms Minister

JOHOR BARU: The prosecution of former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was done in accordance with the law and independently by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), says Fahmi Fadzil.

The Communications and Digital Minister said that Muhyiddin should have also brought up his arguments inside the courtroom and not publicly while creating the perception that this case is being used to attack him.

“MACC and the AGC have stated that they have conducted this move independently and without any instruction, based on the facts that they have.

“So, in my view, if he accused anyone of using this case to attack him, that is a very wrong perception,” he said.

He said this during a press conference after his working visit to the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Johor office in Jalan Maju, here, on Saturday (March 11).

Fahmi also said that Muhyiddin had urged the MACC to do their job without any interference when the agency froze Umno's accounts back in 2018.

“But when it comes to Bersatu, he says the other thing.

“It's like what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said, does this mean no one should be apprehended by the MACC?” he asked, adding that he hoped Muhyiddin would go through the process in accordance with the law.

Asked whether the Communications and Digital Ministry has taken any action in closing down social media accounts that give a negative perception of the case, Fahmi said that the authorities will only take action when there are cases of slander.

“Every Malaysian has the right under the Constitution to voice out their opinion; what they do not have is the right to create and spread slanderous statements.

“But generally, when it comes to slanderous statements and fake news, each social media company has its own community guidelines, so there is no need for us to take action,” he added.

Earlier, the AGC and MACC stated in a statement that any decision to charge a person is based on evidence and facts.

Muhyiddin was reported as saying on March 10 that the abuse of power and money laundering charges against him were “selective political prosecution".

The Pagoh MP has been slapped with four counts of power abuse at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, involving a total of RM232.5mil in gratification and two counts of money laundering involving RM195mil.