Muhyiddin defends 1MDB comments

KUALA LUMPUR — Hours after being dropped from the Malaysian Cabinet yesterday, former Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin defended his criticism of the controversial 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) over the weekend as remarks made in the interest of the public.

In a statement on social media yesterday, he also vowed to continue working in his capacity as deputy president of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), although his position in the party appears to be in question after UMNO permanent chairman Badruddin Amiruddin said yesterday that a party election would be held soon.

“I will continue to carry out the trust given to me and offer my services in the aim of strengthening the party and returning the confidence of Malays and the nation to UMNO,” he wrote on Facebook yesterday.

“In the 1MBD issue, I have my own principles and stand in defending the rights of the public, the good name of the party and the country’s interest,” Mr Muhyiddin added.

“If my stand in this issue has caused me to be dropped from the Cabinet then (so) be it.”

He added he had supported all government policies and the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Razak while serving as his deputy, except when it came to 1MDB. But Mr Muhyiddin said he accepted Mr Najib’s decision and respected the Prime Minister’s prerogative authority to appoint and sack any Cabinet members.

Mr Muhyiddin’s Facebook posting has since gone viral, attracting over 132,000 likes and 31,000 shares in just three hours. Many Malaysians also voiced support for him.

“We are always with Muhyiddin! Because we know what Muhyiddin said was right,” wrote Facebook user Irwan Safian in Malay.

Following Mr Muhyiddin’s unceremonious removal from the Cabinet, numerous UMNO members were also seen gathering at his house yesterday afternoon. These included former rural and regional development minister, Mr Shafie Apdal — who similarly lost his job in the reshuffle.

Local media reported that both men spent over an hour in a closed-door meeting, before Mr Shafie left the premises at 4.20pm.

“Never be worried, never be sad when you fight for the rakyat (people),” Mr Shafie told reporters with a smile while leaving.

Earlier yesterday, he too had insisted that his speaking out on the government’s handling of 1MDB was a reflection of grassroots sentiment.

“I voiced my views in order to strengthen UMNO and the intention was to place the nation on the right track,” he wrote.

“If this is considered misaligned with the stand of (Mr) Najib, then it is his right as prime minister to conduct the reshuffle. Since serving in the Cabinet, I have performed with trust and the best responsibility to ensure the peace of the people, especially those in the rural areas,” he added.

The abrupt reshuffle in Mr Najib’s Cabinet comes days after Mr Muhyiddin had commented on the 1MDB controversy at an UMNO division meeting over the weekend.

The former Deputy Prime Minister had urged Mr Najib to satisfactorily explain the 1MDB controversy, claiming that he and other ministers were unaware of the “real facts”.

Besides losing his Cabinet post, Mr Muhyiddin’s status as UMNO deputy president is now also under doubt.

“There will be a party election soon and it is up to the individuals in UMNO, which practises democracy, to offer themselves (for Mr Muhyiddin’s party post) or otherwise (retain Mr Muhyiddin),” said UMNO permanent chairman Badruddin Amiruddin yesterday.

Mr Muhyiddin told journalists yesterday evening that he would be holding a press conference at 11am today, where he would address all questions from reporters. AGENCIES