Muhyiddin refutes allegations of misusing Bersatu funds amid Dr Mahathir's claims

SHAH ALAM – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has strongly denied allegations by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which has gone viral in a video clip, claiming that he had stolen party funds and kept them at home.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman said the accusation was defamatory and had never occurred throughout his involvement in the party’s leadership and management.

“I have never stolen party funds. All contributions to the party were deposited into the party’s accounts, which are managed transparently by the treasurer-general,” he said in a Facebook statement yesterday (Dec 13, 2025).

Muhyiddin saidthe allegation may have stemmed from false information received by Dr Mahathir from irresponsible parties.

His statement followed the circulation of a video clip, about two minutes long, that has been shared on WhatsApp since Friday. The clip shows Dr Mahathir at a meeting with Bersatu Youth (Armada) Johor at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya earlier this week.

The video was accompanied by a caption claiming that Dr Mahathir accused Muhyiddin of wanting to become prime minister out of fear of being imprisoned.

In the recording, Dr Mahathir washeard saying that someone “has a problem” and wants to become prime minister not to serve, but because he was worried about being jailed.

“Because if he doesn’t become PM, there is a possibility he will go to prison because he also stole money. I know.

“Party money, money given to the party, he did not give it to the party. He kept it at his house, and that is the money he spent,” he said, without naming anyone.

Commenting further, Muhyiddin said that as a statesman, Dr Mahathir should have sought clarification from him first before making any public accusations.

“In the many meetings I have had with him, he never raised this matter in front of me. Therefore, it is my responsibility to clarify this so as not to allow slander to arise,” he said.

However, Muhyiddinstressed that he still respected Dr Mahathir as an elder and had no intention of taking legal action against the former prime minister.

Meanwhile, Armada Johor claimed that the video clip had been manipulated and edited for the political interests of certain parties.

Armada Johor chief Alias Rasman said Dr Mahathir was actually referring to another individual and not Muhyiddin, adding that legal action would be taken against those who edited and disseminated the video.

In March 2023, Muhyiddin was charged with seven counts involving corruption, abuse of power and money laundering linked to RM427.5 million in funds. All charges are still under trial.