We stand by our ‘Abah’

In unison: Members of Srikandi Bersatu joining hands to show support to their leaders at the Srikandi delegates conference at Menara PGRM in Cheras. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The women’s wing of Bersatu is standing by their “Abah”, claiming he is facing political persecution.

Bersatu’s Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said dragging Bersatu leaders – including Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – to court over alleged corruption had raised their spirits, instead of dampening them.

The former minister claimed that the government feared the support of the people for the Opposition as Perikatan had won 73 seats in the 15th General Election, and the coalition’s strong support from young voters.

She added that charges were “cooked up” to defame Muhyiddin, with her emotional speech riling the 500 Srikandi delegates who had gathered at Menara PGRM here yesterday.

Rina listed down the various financial assistance the former prime minister’s administration had handed out during the movement control order (MCO) at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic

“Who put food for us on the table when we ran out of food? Who put money into our pockets when we did not have money? Who helped us when we needed help?” Rina told the delegates.

“Abah,” they shouted, standing up in unison.

Later at a media conference after her speech, Rina said she was standing up as “a daughter” of Muhyiddin as he was being persecuted.

“Which daughter would not stand up for her father when he is being persecuted?

“The charges against Muhyiddin do not weaken us but have raised our spirits,” she added.

Meanwhile, Rina said the Bersatu women delegates raised economic and political issues during their debate speeches.

“We will stand by the leadership of the party.

“In the constituencies, the women will continue to be the machinery during the state elections,” added Rina.

Bersatu is holding its delayed 2022 AGM over three days.

Muhyiddin is the latest Bersatu leader to be charged with alleged corruption.

On March 2, Bersatu treasurer Datuk Mohd Salleh Bajuri was remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist investigations into the party’s expenditure, but was released the next day.

Prior to that, former Bersatu information chief and Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Segambut division deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad were charged in court.

They were alleged to have collected funds from the awarding of projects during Muhyiddin’s administration.