Zahid can take oath but I told the truth, says Muhyiddin

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin today maintained that he had spoken the truth about Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi approaching him in a bid to have his corruption charges dropped, following the latter’s assertion that he had never done so and was ready to swear on the matter.

Speaking to reporters after a press conference, he said it was up to Zahid to take an oath or not.

“For me, what I said was the truth,” he said. “If he wants to swear on it, however many oaths he wishes to take, let him take.

“I will not take any oath because I have never lied about it. What I said was the truth.”

Zahid previously denied approaching Muhyiddin in a meeting first reported by MalaysiaNow in March last year.

MalaysiaNow reported that the former deputy prime minister had met with Muhyiddin just days after the latter’s appointment to the top office in 2020, hoping to convince him to intervene in order to have the charges against him dropped.

Muhyiddin himself disclosed details in January backing his claim of attempts convince him to interfere in the judicial process in order to help Umno politicians facing corruption charges.

But Zahid claimed that he had never asked Muhyiddin for help, saying he was ready to take an oath or “sumpah laknat” on the matter.

Speaking today, Muhyiddin said he had proof and witnesses to back his claim.

“What I said was the truth, not something that was concocted to be politicised or to force an election,” he said.

“Whatever the situation is, we will speak the truth and hope that the people understand what I explained.”