Allegation on awarding contract to son-in-law is a slander, says Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR - Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says the allegation on the RM1 billion contact awarded to his son-in-law is a slander.

He said this in response to Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who had asked the Pagoh MP to explain about the allegation in the Dewan Rakyat, today.

"That is a slander, it is a lie. Don't worry, we will take the appropriate action," he said.

It then turned into a heated discussion when Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) asked Muhyiddin to sue the individual involved if it was defamation.

Earlier, Muhyiddin answered Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan's (PN-Kota Bharu) question on the government's action putting 20 senior government officers into cold storage and placing them at the Public Service Department (PSD).

"I think it is unreasonable. I remember when I was in PH, eight ministers wanted to change the ministry's chief secretary. I did not make that change in my ministry as the civil servants had acted professionally.

"Why do we have to change them? why do have to put them in the freezer, freezing the highest positions. How will the government be able to work? This is an unfair and irresponsible move," he said.

Muhyiddin said any actions against civil servants must be done through a strict process and procedures.

He said civil servants who were caught committing an offence could be brought before the Disciplinary Committee instead of being put into cold storage.

"Who is assisting this minister? It would not be their own child in the office to help them. What are their qualifications? They do not know anything," he said.