KUALA LUMPUR – PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has accused the unity government of utilising government agencies in its bid to bring down political opponents.
This comes after the high court here today decided to acquit Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of four abuse of power charges amounting to RM232.5 million linked with the contentious Jana Wibawa programme.
“PAS strongly opposes the abuse of enforcement agencies as a tool to achieve political goals. Evidently, (Muhyiddin’s) prosecution is a form of planned political persecution,” Takiyuddin claimed in a statement today.
He added that the charges against Muhyiddin were meant to “divert the people’s attention from (Barisan Nasional linchpin) Umno”, which is part of the unity government alongside Pakatan Harapan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and others under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“PAS expected these results (Muhyiddin’s acquittal from four charges) from the beginning, as we are convinced that the charges against (Muhyiddin) were selective and politically motivated.
“As allies with Bersatu under the PN banner, PAS is sure that the charges were a plan to weaken PN. However, our performance was not affected, and we received increased support in the six state elections.”
Meanwhile, PN information chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the coalition had always been firm in its stance that if the government had adhered to the rule of law principle, Muhyiddin would never have been charged in court.
“(Today’s verdict) proves that there are ‘evil hands’ attempting to tarnish Bersatu’s image and credibility, especially (party president) Muhyiddin, so that the people reject PN,” he said in a statement.
He added that since the court had decided to drop the four charges, Muhyiddin should also be acquitted of the three other charges he is facing related to money laundering.
Earlier today, justice Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin ruled that the four charges were “vague, flawed, and unfounded” because they did not contain details of the offences allegedly committed by Muhyiddin.
The judge also said that the charges were defective and not in line with the Criminal Procedure Code, adding that the unclear nature of the charges made it difficult for Muhyiddin to prepare his defence.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin later confirmed that the Attorney-General’s Chambers will appeal the decision and seek a stay of proceedings for Muhyiddin’s three other money laundering charges pending the appeal.
On April 18, Muhyiddin filed a notice of motion to request that he be acquitted and discharged of the four charges, alleging that the charges lacked particulars as to how he had abused his position or the Prime Minister’s Office for bribery-related purposes.
Besides the now-nullified four charges, the Pagoh MP is also facing two charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM195 million from Bukhary Equity, which was deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account.
Muhyiddin was also charged in the Shah Alam sessions court on March 13 with receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM5 million. The case has since been transferred to the sessions court here to be tried with the other cases. – August 15, 2023