'It's illogical to keep stolen money in the party's account' - Ahmad Faizal

KUALA LUMPUR - The act of stealing money and keeping it in the party's bank account is illogical and unreasonable, said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He said that based on logic, it is impossible for a thief to keep the stolen money in a political party's bank account.

"I came to court and witnessed the charges against Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"Realistically, it can't happen, but we will not interfere with the court's affairs," he said.

Ahmad Failzal told reporters at the press conference in conjunction with the Srikandi Bersatu Annual General Assembly 2022 at Menara PGRM here.

Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here on Friday to the six charges of abuse of power for bribery amounting to RM232.5 million and money laundering amounting to RM195 million between 2020 and 2022.

According to the first to fourth charges, the Pagoh MP is charged as an official of a public body, namely the prime minister and Bersatu president, with having used his position to accept bribery amounting to RM232.5 million from an individual named Azman Yusoff, 51, and three companies, Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, for the party's allies, between March 1, 2020 and August 20, 2021.

For the other two charges, Muhyiddin had alleged received proceeds from illegal activities, namely money amounting to RM195 million from Bukhary Equity, which was deposited into Bersatu's CIMB Bank account on Feb 25, 2021 and July 8, 2022.