KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has slammed critics who claim the recent charges levelled against opposition politicians are evidence of political persecution.
The prime minister said these critics should check the facts first.
"The Jana Wibawa case (charges are) based on documents obtained by the Finance Ministry.
"If all cases involving politicians are said to be politically motivated, then the authorities can no longer investigate (political leaders suspected of being involved in corruption); if it involves big (names), (will) they be off the hook?" he told reporters after the launch of the Kuala Lumpur Festival Park today.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, reiterated that he did not interfere with investigations involving Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was summoned to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged misappropriation of public funds.
However, he said he had issued a directive to the relevant agencies, including MACC and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), to take action against individuals linked to power abuse and government fund leakages.
On Muhyiddin's case, Anwar said: "No decision as of yet, (Muhyiddin) was only summoned. That was why I said, whether there is a case, that is the MACC's job. I don't know the final (decision)."
He called on those who wished for a corruption-free country to look at investigations case-by-case to determine whether they were political persecution or based on facts.
"I've previously mentioned Jana Wibawa , and the flood mitigation project, are based on documents from the Finance Ministry, not the MACC or AGC."
The claims come in the wake of charges levelled against several Bersatu politicians in connection with the Jana Wibawa programme which was initiated by the Perikatan Nasional-led government under Muhyiddin.
It also come as rumours abound that Muhyiddin may be arrested today by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and charged tomorrow .