PETALING JAYA: Muhyiddin Yassin says he will be taking legal action against those who have defamed him over several issues, including the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines during his tenure as prime minister.
Muhyiddin said he had left it to his lawyer to look into the “non-stop slander against me”.
The Perikatan Nasional chairman however did not identify anyone in particular.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said some parts of the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines were signed off by the relevant ministers without the agreement of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Anwar also said the health ministry would be tabling a white paper on the procurement of the vaccines and the costs incurred.
Muhyiddin’s former aide Marzuki Mohamad has since insisted the purchase of the vaccines was done by the book, adding that the matter was referred to the Public Accounts Committee in 2021 and cited a 521-page long report to back up his statement.
Muhyiddin had also previously denied an allegation linked to a lucrative contract said to have been awarded to his son-in-law, calling it a malicious lie.
The Pagoh MP said he was never involved in the awarding of the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) contract to IRIS Corporation Bhd, for which there had been an open tender. The case is currently being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
MACC had also questioned the Bersatu president in connection with its investigation into the party’s funds. The party was alleged to have received political funds from contractors who were awarded projects during his administration.
Today, Muhyiddin insisted he had always followed the rules.
“But there are those who don’t believe me and have lumped me with the rest of the thieves.
“But I am not (a thief). I have principles.”
