KLUANG: After facing investigations in at least two by-elections, Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he has to be more cautious yet maintains that he has always been telling the truth.
In a speech during a ceramah for the Mahkota by-election here, Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, told the crowd he must be mindful of what he says in his speeches.
“I don’t have to talk about Malay privilege and position in this country. I have to be careful with what I say. I have lost count of how many times I’ve been called by the police.
“There is Facebook live here, and there are also non-Malay reporters in front of me. They are recording what I am saying.
“But I am not afraid as it is important for a leader to talk about things that are true,” he said in a ceramah at Kampung Melayu Timor 2 on Friday (Sept 20) night.
The former Prime Minister said he was merely stating facts to ensure people understood what was happening around them.
“In my previous speeches, including those that led to me being called for investigations and charged, I have never lied.
“I was telling the truth, although it can be bitter because if we do not touch on those issues, people may not understand and might just submit to whatever situation even if they know it’s not right,” he said.
Last month, Muhyiddin was called in for an investigation for allegedly touching on the 3R issue (race, religion, royalty) while campaigning in the Nenggiri state by-election.
Pahang police reportedly received 28 reports lodged over the matter as of Sunday, and more reports have been received since then.
This comes after a speech by the Pagoh MP allegedly involving the sovereignty of Sultan Pahang during his tenure as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong went viral.
In a Facebook post, Muhyiddin said he had no intention of insulting the royal institution of the Malay Rulers or inciting division among the people.
Meanwhile, following the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-election last year, he also faced questioning over a speech he made during a ceramah where he allegedly said it was “haram” or forbidden in Islam to vote for Pakatan Harapan candidate Suhaizan Kayat for the Pulai seat.
The Mahkota state seat became vacant when its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain from Umno, passed away on Aug 2, three days after she was hospitalised.
Sharifah Azizah won the seat in the March 2022 Johor state election by a 5,166 majority, beating three other candidates from Perikatan, Pakatan and Parti Warisan.
Polling for the by-election is set for Sept 28 while early voting is on Sept 24.
