I can't afford it, says Muhyiddin

12 Mar 2023 12:59pm

Photo source: Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR - "I can't afford it. If I don't pay, what will be the consequences?" said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He will be in court tomorrow to face a seventh charge of using his position as Prime Minister to receive political donations and funds.

Muhyiddin said, two days ago he had faced the same six charges at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

He said, if found guilty, he will be sentenced to no more than 20 years in prison and a fine of five times the value of the contribution received by Bersatu.

"I may not be able to and if I don't pay what will be the consequences? This is the first time in the history where a party president has been prosecuted for accepting donations which never happened.

"Political parties do not run businesses to generate income. All of them are contributions from party members and supporters," he said today.

He said this while delivering the presidential policy speech at the Bersatu General Assembly at Menara PGRM here.

The media reported that the former Prime Minister was charged for allegedly using his position to receive bribes amounting to RM232.5 million from an individual, Azman Yusoff, 51, and three companies - Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd -, between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.

In the other two charges, Muhyiddin is alleged to have 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.

Muhyiddin added, without contributions it is of course quite difficult for a party to carry out its functions.

"Those who know our struggle which is based on truth will sincerely help. After all, I have set the condition that every donation to Bersatu must be entered into Bersatu's bank account, not mine.

"When you receive a small or large donation, you must save it in the party account. The party account will be audited by a certified auditor," he explained.