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TAN Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has categorically denied allegations by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he stole party funds and kept the money at his home, describing the claim as reckless, baseless and entirely untrue.
The Bersatu president, who is also chairman of Perikatan Nasional, said the accusation circulating in a viral video amounted to a wild assumption that had never occurred at any point during his involvement in the party’s leadership and management.
“I categorically deny the allegations made by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a viral video, claiming that I stole party funds and kept them at my home. These are wild and completely unfounded accusations,” he said in a Facebook statement on Saturday.
Muhyiddin stressed that party finances have always been handled through official and transparent channels.
“I have never stolen party funds. All contributions to the party are deposited into the party’s account, which is managed transparently by the Treasurer-General,” he said, adding in the same statement that the party account is “managed transparently by the Secretary-General”.
He suggested the allegation may have arisen from misinformation.
“Such allegations may have arisen because he received incorrect information from irresponsible parties,” he said.
The issue surfaced after a two-minute video clip circulated widely on WhatsApp on Friday morning, purportedly showing Dr Mahathir accusing Muhyiddin of misappropriating party funds during a meeting between Johor Bersatu Youth wing members and the former Langkawi MP in Putrajaya earlier this week.
The video was accompanied by a caption alleging that Dr Mahathir claimed Muhyiddin wanted to become prime minister out of fear of being imprisoned.
In the recording, Dr Mahathir is heard saying that an unnamed individual “has a problem” and “wants to be prime minister not to serve” but because he is worried about going to jail.
Responding to this, Muhyiddin said that, as a statesman, Dr Mahathir should have sought clarification from him directly before making any public accusations.
“As a statesman, he should have sought clarification from me before making any accusations,” he said.
“In the many meetings I have had with him, he has never raised this matter in front of me. Therefore, it is my responsibility to clarify this issue so that slander is not cast upon me.”
Despite the allegations, Muhyiddin said he continues to respect Dr Mahathir as an elder and acknowledged their past cooperation.
“However, I continue to respect Dr Mahathir as an elder. I myself have supported his efforts to promote Malay unity, and our relationship has been close,” he said.
He also made clear that he does not intend to pursue legal action over the matter.
“Accordingly, I do not intend to take legal action against him,” he said. - December 13, 2025