PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he would rather be labeled a traitor by Pakatan Harapan (PH) than betray his religion, race and country.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, addressing accusations that Bersatu had engineered the 'Sheraton Move' which led to the downfall of the PH federal government, defended his actions.
He described his experience in the PH Cabinet as "very different and unusual."
"The pressure from the PH ministers was extraordinary. To make matters worse, many of their requests could have been detrimental for the Malays, Muslims and the people.
"This is why I told Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was prime minister at the time, that we (Bersatu) cannot remain with the PH coalition for very long as the longer we stay, support from the Malays would continue to decline.
"Let me stress that I would never ever betray my race, religion and country even though I was under tremendous pressure from political foes and enemies who even threw the term 'traitor' into the fray. I'd rather be labeled a traitor by PH then become a traitor to religion, race and country," he said in a Facebook post today.
He said he was heartened by the support shown by the people during Perikatan Nasional's speaking engagement in Putrajaya on Wednesday night, when he explained PN's position in the country's political landscape.
"I reiterate what I have said before, that we are in a position to form a government with good leadership and governance that is caring, trustworthy, and full of integrity, and able to achieve comprehensive development so that Malaysia can return to the path of becoming a great country."