The Malaysian Insight

FORMER prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin is required by law to report instances of judicial interference, Gobind Singh Deo said today.

The Puchong MP was referring to Muhyiddin’s statement last year where he claimed his legitimacy as prime minister was being questioned as he had refused to interfere in the court process involving several politicians.

“Did Muhyiddin Yassin lodge a report with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over allegations that certain quarters had demanded he interfere in court matters to free several individuals who were being prosecuted for certain criminal offences when he was prime minister?

“Did he lodge a report and if he did, did he state the names of those who allegedly approached him?

“If he did not, then he should explain why,” Gobind said in a statement.

Section 25(1) of the MACC Act 2009 provides that any person to whom any gratification is given, promised, or offered, in contravention of any provision of this Act, shall report such gift, promise or offer together with the name, if known, of the person who gave, promised or offered such gratification to the nearest officer of the commission or police officer.

Meanwhile, section 25(2) states that any person who fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both.

The DAP lawmaker said the allegations made by Muhyiddin were serious and as a matter of public interest must be dealt with by the law.

“The allegations made by Muhyiddin are serious in nature. Would it not appear from the above and from what he said, that a report has to be lodged over the matter under section 25(1) of the Act?” he asked.

It is believed that Muhyiddin was alluding to Umno president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former president Najib Razak, who were slapped with numerous charges relating to corruption, money laundering and abuse of power.

Earlier, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said Muhyiddin must explain his claims of judicial interference.

The opposition leader said he was demanding clarification from Muhyiddin, who had revealed that there was an attempt to contact him to interfere in several high-profile cases. – January 18, 2022.