Muhyiddin to be charged with corruption

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be charged with corruption-related offences tomorrow, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki told Reuters.

Azam did not give further details, but said the agency would issue a statement later today.

Muhyiddin, who was prime minister for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, arrived at the MACC offices this morning for questioning.

Muhyiddin and his party have faced graft investigations since losing to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a tightly contested election in November.

Anwar last year ordered a review of government projects worth billions of dollars approved by Muhyiddin, including Covid-19 relief programmes, alleging they did not follow proper procedures.

Muhyiddin previously denied the accusations, describing them as a political vendetta.

Anwar today said he had not interfered in graft investigations involving Muhyiddin, Bernama reported.

Two leaders belonging to Muhyiddin's party Bersatu have been charged by MACC with bribery over an economic recovery project launched by his government.

The MACC questioned Muhyiddin last month regarding the same project and has also frozen bank accounts belonging to Bersatu.

The charges against Muhyiddin come ahead of elections due to be held in six states by mid-year, with the ex-prime minister's Perikatan Nasional coalition expected to pose a strong challenge to Anwar's Pakatan Harapan.