KULIM: Former prime minister and Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has dismissed allegations that the coalition has received funding from gambling companies for the 15th General Election (GE15) campaign.
Muhyiddin said the accusations, implied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, were not backed by substantial evidence, other than an assumption made based on PN's extensive campaign during GE15.
"Yes, it is slanderous, where is the evidence? It is so easy to throw such accusations. We have principles. Even if we want to accept support, we will not accept from 'haram' (forbidden) sources. And I am well aware that gambling is 'haram'.
"So, I don't know how did the Prime Minister came up with such serious allegations just because we won (many seats).
"Just because we have a lot of flags or we have mobilised our machinery effectively and beat them to the point that Umno suffered hefty defeats in eight states," he told a press conference after a PN's mega rally in Taman Selasih here last night.
Present were Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Commenting further, Muhyiddin who is also Bersatu president, denied claims that PN had spent excessively during its campaign as the coalition has only been around for just two years while Bersatu was only formed five years ago.
"Our party (Bersatu) only existed for five years and Perikatan Nasional has been around only for two years. Compare that with PKR which has been around for decades.
"I don't want to accuse him (Anwar) of anything, even if they received political funding. I think it is a very serious accusation. We will see what we should do," he said when asked whether PN was considering taking legal action against the accusations.
Yesterday, Anwar appeared to imply that PN's election funds were partly from gaming companies involved with special draws.
On another matter, Muhyiddin also denied allegations over misappropriation of RM600 billion funds during his tenure as the prime minister.
Muhyiddin said he was dumbfounded by Anwar's accusations which he claimed to be baseless.
"I am a bit confused. How can such things come out of the Prime Minister's mouth?
"He said there is a possibility that there might be something (amiss), he is not supposed to do that.
"As the Prime Minister, you must be fully responsible for what you say. It must be based on fact, it must be based on evidence, it should not be based on hearsay," he added.
During a press conference yesterday, Anwar was reported as saying there was a "serious breach of procedure" in government spending during Muhyiddin's administration.
Anwar had hinted the mismanagement included excessive procurements, high price markups and money going to certain political parties.