Muhyiddin should defend himself in court, not make public outcry - Fahmi

JOHOR BAHRU - Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should defend himself in court instead of giving a speech in public and claiming that the charges against him were politically motivated.

PH communications director Fahmi Fadzil said calling the charges brought against him as politically motivated is a wrong perception because all investigations and charges against him were based on the provisions of the law.

"The government must follow the process, the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and the attorney-general have stated that they are independent, there were no instructions from anyone, their decision was based on evidence and facts and the case was taken to court,” he said after a visit to Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Johor bureau office here today.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin claimed trial in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to four charges of corruption amounting to RM232.5 million and two counts of money laundering involving RM195 million. Judge Azura Alwi allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM2 million with two sureties and ordered the former prime minister to hand over his international passport to the court until the case is disposed.

When asked to comment on the issue involving Bersatu Srikandi vice-chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin who was reprimanded by singer Amir Jahari for using his song entitled Hasrat as the background song for a video showing support for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after he was charged in court on Friday, Fahmi said that everyone must respect the rights of artistes.

"Artistes have their rights which we must respect, and when making an apology show that you are sincerely sorry,” he said. - BERNAMA