Malaysian ex-PM’s arrest puts focus on Anwar’s corruption fight
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Loading... - Genara Paz
- 13 Mar 2023
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Former leader Muhyiddin Yassin has denied wrongdoing and described charges against him as a political witch hunt.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Addressing an investment forum this week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his administration would not tolerate corruption regardless of an official’s rank or political connections and pledged to tackle misconduct “without fear or favour”.
Less than 48 hours later, Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was charged with multiple counts of corruption related to directly-negotiated government contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charges against Muhyiddin, announced on Friday following an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), represent the most striking move yet against alleged malfeasance since Anwar came to power last year on a pledge to clean up the Southeast Asian nation’s politics.
Though the MACC is officially independent of the government, the charges against Muhyiddin could bolster the reformist Anwar’s anti-corruption drive and “allow his government to showcase progress under his leadership”, said Grace Lee Hooi Yean, the head of Monash University Malaysia’s economics department.
“This will instil hope in people that progress and advancement can be achieved in the country,” Lee told Al Jazeera, describing the investigation as a potential “turning point” in Malaysia’s efforts to tackle corruption. Read More..
