FMT:
Ramasamy defends Muhyiddin as PM candidate after critics cite court cases
The Urimai chairman says the charges against the former PM must be seen in the broader context of Malaysian politics
Urimai chairman P Ramasamy said Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged but not yet convicted.
PETALING JAYA: Urimai chairman P Ramasamy today defended Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin from those who cited his pending corruption trial after his nomination as the party’s prime ministerial candidate.
He said such court cases should be seen in the broader context of Malaysian politics, where, according to him, charges are often used as weapons to cripple opponents.
“In my view, the allegations against Muhyiddin are politically motivated, a deliberate attempt by the government to weaken the opposition.
“The pattern of selective prosecution cannot be ignored,” he said in a Facebook post.
Muhyiddin has been slapped with four abuse of power charges related to his time as prime minister and Bersatu president, when he allegedly solicited RM232.5 million in bribes from one individual and three companies.
He has also been charged with three counts of laundering RM200 million from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd.
Ramasamy, whose party Urimai is one of 11 outside the government bloc that formed a loose coalition to hold the current administration accountable and highlight issues affecting the people, said that while Muhyiddin had been charged, he had not been convicted.
“In the eyes of the law, he remains innocent until proven guilty,” he added.
The Bersatu annual general assembly last night unanimously resolved to nominate Muhyiddin as its candidate for prime minister.
The delegates also resolved to fully support Muhyiddin as party president.
Ramasamy said Bersatu’s nomination of Muhyiddin was “logical and strategic”.
“His long career as a federal minister and later as prime minister gives him credibility as the most experienced candidate to lead the country,” he said.
However, whether Malaysians would accept Muhyiddin given his ongoing legal challenges remained to be seen, he said.
He said such court cases should be seen in the broader context of Malaysian politics, where, according to him, charges are often used as weapons to cripple opponents.
“In my view, the allegations against Muhyiddin are politically motivated, a deliberate attempt by the government to weaken the opposition.
“The pattern of selective prosecution cannot be ignored,” he said in a Facebook post.
Muhyiddin has been slapped with four abuse of power charges related to his time as prime minister and Bersatu president, when he allegedly solicited RM232.5 million in bribes from one individual and three companies.
He has also been charged with three counts of laundering RM200 million from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd.
Ramasamy, whose party Urimai is one of 11 outside the government bloc that formed a loose coalition to hold the current administration accountable and highlight issues affecting the people, said that while Muhyiddin had been charged, he had not been convicted.
“In the eyes of the law, he remains innocent until proven guilty,” he added.
The Bersatu annual general assembly last night unanimously resolved to nominate Muhyiddin as its candidate for prime minister.
The delegates also resolved to fully support Muhyiddin as party president.
Ramasamy said Bersatu’s nomination of Muhyiddin was “logical and strategic”.
“His long career as a federal minister and later as prime minister gives him credibility as the most experienced candidate to lead the country,” he said.
However, whether Malaysians would accept Muhyiddin given his ongoing legal challenges remained to be seen, he said.
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Prof has truly burnt his bridge back to the DAP. I was always hoping he'd go back - I like him - but alas, he has shown his future irreversible path. Sad!
Ramasamy and Urinal are now firmly in PN camp.
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