PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) must not interfere in the police probe into the alleged RM600bil misuse by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, says a Bersatu leader.
Shah Alam Bersatu deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 7) that Saifuddin’s responsibility as minister was to give policy directives to investigative bodies and not exact "political revenge" on opponents.
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He was referring to Saifuddin's statement on Tuesday (Dec 6) that he would hold "further discussions" with the Inspector-General of Police on the alleged wrongful expenditure of RM600bil during former premier Muhyiddin's administration.
"The responsibility of the Home Minister is to give policy directives where appropriate and oversee national security. It is not to interfere in specific investigations.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim makes daily accusations against the chairman of his political opponent Perikatan, and the Home Minister discusses the investigation on the same accusation with the IGP.
"In short, Pakatan accuses and then Pakatan investigates its own accusation. While this may be usual in countries such as North Korea, it is repugnant in Malaysia which is supposed to be a democratic nation.
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"We condemn in the strongest terms such clear political interference by the minister in directing the police on how to conduct its work.
"This is political revenge in its ugliest form and should not happen in any country that claims to be a fully functioning democratic state," said Dr Afif.
The Seberang Jaya state assemblyman also said Saifuddin’s public admission clearly goes against his claims of "championing democratic reforms, good governance and the independence of institutions."
"His public admission of discussing investigative matters involving political opponents with the police is shocking and unprecedented.
"While Muhyiddin has welcomed any investigation into the RM530bil package to aid the rakyat during the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakatan’s new Home Minister has no business discussing the specifics of any investigation with the IGP.
"That is the jurisdiction of the police, and there must be no political or ministerial interference.
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"It is appalling that Anwar, the so-called reformist PM, in his first week in office, made such an accusation without any evidence to back it up.
"It is even more disgraceful that his Home Minister, on his second day in office, is planning to get involved in the conduct of the investigations.
"We also note that Pakatan leaders keep repeating the RM600bil figure to create the false impression that such a large sum had allegedly been mishandled by Muhyiddin’s administration.
"In fact, only RM80bil was disbursed in cash to aid the rakyat. And the correct total figure is RM530bil which included the value of Employee Provident Fund withdrawals and bank moratoriums.
"Can the Pakatan leaders, including the Prime Minister, focus on the welfare of the rakyat?" asked Dr Afif.
Anwar had earlier this week alleged that there were lapses in procedure over expenditure of RM600bil during Muhyiddin's tenure as prime minister.
