Muhyiddin praises Khairy’s bold stand

PETALING JAYA: Former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin praised Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin for having the courage to speak up about the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion donation into the prime minister’s account.

“I respect and appreciate his bold stand on these issues as I believe it is based on truth and just principles that are taught by Islam,” Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, said in a statement yesterday.

“I support his (Khairy’s) stand as Umno Youth chief to place Malaysia on the right track and would like to remind that if these issues are not tackled in a bold and direct manner, we may fall into the category of a failed state,” he added.

Muhyiddin said the volatile global economy, sliding ringgit, political turmoil, rising living cost, the influx of migrants and the cold sentiments of investors are among the reasons Malaysia is in danger of becoming a failed state.

“I would like to remind my friends in the government to take corrective steps immediately,” he said.

He added that leaders will come and go, but the party would need to remain strong.

On calls for him to step down from his party post and for disciplinary action to be taken against him, Muhyiddin told his critics not to be so quick in judging him for merely speaking the truth.

“Some of them who are urging me to step down are those that I had helped in the past when I was in government.

“Remember that I have fought for Umno for 40 years. When Umno was deemed illegal, I took on the responsibility of rebuilding Umno’s base in Johor until the party regained its strength.”

He said Johor had then emerged to be a big contributor to Umno and Barisan Nasional’s success in the elections.

However, he added that all these will not weaken his resolve in upholding the truth.– by Vathani Panirchellvum