Although it is the Prime Minister’s prerogative to sack the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin from his Cabinet, the question that arises is whether Datuk Seri Najib has exercised his prerogative fairly and justifiably.
If an independent public opinion survey is carried out, I am sure the result will show that Malaysians are more convinced that Muhyiddin and Shafie Apdal have been punished simply because he has spoken out against the 1 MDB issue.
Najib will also find that his justification that Cabinet members “should not air their differences in an open forum that can affect public opinion against the government and Malaysia” are not satisfactory to Malaysians, including UMNO members.
Yesterday, it was reported that Umno deputy permanent chairperson Mohamad Aziz criticised Najib for trying to silence those who were expressing concern about the strategic fund, which has accumulated RM41.8 billion in debts.
“Was it wrong for an Umno deputy president to talk about an issue that has been worrying the rakyat?” he asked.
Malaysiakini has also reported that a leaked video clip depicting Muhyiddin Yassin talking about allegations that millions were transferred into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s private accounts is currently making rounds.
Although certain parts of the 53-second video clip were inaudible, Muhyiddin appeared to be suggesting he had confronted Najib on the allegation.
Muhyiddin had told his guests that he had asked about the source of the money and the reply was that it came from someone in the Middle East.
Below is past of Malaysiakini report on the video conversation:
“Then saya kata apa masuk account you? [inaudible] Kenapa masuk account Najib Razak? (Then I asked what was in your account? [inaudible] Why was it in Najib Razak’s account),” said Muhyiddin.
“He admitted. So I said: Why did you put (it) into your personal account?”
Is the Prime Minister prepared to deny what Muhyiddin said in the video about his admitting that money was put into his private accounts?
A Royal Commission of Inquiry into 1 MDB scandal is long overdue. Najib must not delay its setting up any longer.