Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin alleges 'witch hunt' by those in power"

KUALA LUMPUR - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has accused "those of the power that be" of attempting to prosecute him and other Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders in what he calls a "witch hunt".

Speaking in a Fireside Chat interview with Sinar Daily, Hamzah made these allegations in response to charges brought against his son, Muhammad Faisal, in the Seremban sessions court over fake invoices on cooking oil subsidy and the hoarding of cooking oil beyond the allowable limit.

He believes that these "politically motivated" charges were mere optics to be used against PN in the upcoming state elections.

"I am not next but they have already been trying to get me. The point is they will try to try their best to get me and PN leaders," Hamzah claimed.

Besides Faisal, the authorities have also charged one Azizul Abdul Halim. Both are the directors of the implicated company, Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd.

Earlier in March, PN chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has also been charged with seven counts of corruption and power abuse involving RM432.5 million in relation to the Jana Wibawa programme.

In February, Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan was charged for soliciting a bribe of an unspecified amount and for receiving a bribe of RM6.96 million.

Also charged with corruption was Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad, for seeking kickbacks under the Jana Wibawa programme.