Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Bersatu fundraising request from Muhyiddin was improper, contractor testifies
A Bumiputera contractor association chief has told a court that then-Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's 2020 request for party donations was inappropriate. The testimony adds to scrutiny surrounding the Bersatu chairman's fundraising activities during his tenure as premier.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUALA LUMPUR — A senior figure in Malaysia's Bumiputera contracting sector has testified in court that a July 2020 request from then-Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for Bersatu party donations was improper and placed contractors in a difficult position.
The witness, who leads a major Bumiputera contractor association, indicated that the solicitation blurred the lines between government authority and party politics. According to court testimony, the request created pressure on business figures who depended on government contracts and relationships.
The testimony marks a significant moment in ongoing legal proceedings related to Muhyiddin's conduct during his 17-month tenure as premier, which ended in August 2021. The case has drawn attention to fundraising practices within Malaysia's ruling political establishment.
Muhyiddin, who chairs Bersatu, has previously faced questions about party financing and the circumstances surrounding various fundraising activities undertaken during his premiership. The contractor's account provides direct testimony regarding the nature and impact of such requests on the business community.