Argue in court, not in public, Fahmi tells Muhyiddin

Practical advice: Fahmi signing a plaque at Bernama’s renovated office at Jalan Serampang, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should make his arguments in the courtroom and not publicly, says Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said Muhyddin’s cases have been prosecuted in accordance with the law and independently by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).

“Government agencies such as the MACC and AGC have stated that they have conducted (investigations) themselves, and independently without any instructions.

“So, if he (Muhyiddin) accuses anyone of using his prosecution to attack him, that is a very wrong perception,” Fahmi told reporters after a working visit to the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Johor branch office in Jalan Serampang here yesterday.

He added that Muhyiddin, a former prime minister, had also urged the MACC to carry out its duties without any interference when the agency froze Umno’s bank accounts back in 2018.

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

“Like what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, does this mean no one should be apprehended by the MACC?,” he said, adding that he hoped Muhyiddin would go through the due legal process.

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

“Every Malaysian has the right under the Constitution to voice their opinion, just not the right to create and spread libelous statements.

“When it comes to libelous 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.

On Friday, MACC released a statement to say its investigations were carried out based on information and evidence it had obtained and were free from any interference.

Separately, on the same day, the AGC also said in a statement that any decision to charge a person was based on evidence and facts.

This came after Muhyiddin cried “selective prosecution and political persecution” after he was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Friday with four counts of power abuse involving a total of RM232.5mil and two counts of money laundering involving RM195mil.