ACTUALLY, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should not be having sleepless nights because everyone knows that he is innocent until proven guilty.
That is how the law works. If it is the negative public perception that the former prime minister is worried about, then he should take solace that another former prime minister is now serving time after being adjudged guilty for a similar crime Muhyiddin has been charged with.
On record, Muhyiddin is not the first ex-PM to be facing legal graft issues. Hence, he shouldn’t feel so bad about it.
The former prime minister revealed that he, his wife and family members had difficulty sleeping since he was charged with corruption and money laundering last Friday.
Seriously, if Muhyiddin is very confident that he would be cleared of the charges as he has declared his innocence, then there is no reason why he should be so concerned and worried. He should, in fact, be sleeping well at night.
It is unfortunate that Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, has been adopting a very confrontational attitude against his political opponents.
In fact, that has been the case since Perikatan Nasional became the opposition after last November’s election. But Muhyiddin has accelerated his fighting mode over the past few days after he was slapped with the charges.
According to Bersatu sources, the party leaders and members are worried about their party president lashing out at government leaders and the MACC at frequent intervals after he was charged.
They are concerned that Muhyiddin’s allegations and accusations against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and senior leaders of the unity government might backfire on him.
Their fears are not unfounded as the government has started taking action on some of Muhyiddin’s statements. On Monday, an aide of Anwar has lodged a police report against Muhyiddin over his claims that his corruption charges were a result of the government misusing enforcement agencies to carry out political persecution.
Last Sunday, Zahid ticked off Muhyiddin after the Bersatu leader dared the MACC to go after Zahid and Anwar, alleging that they too must have been the recipients of political donations from the business community.
Zahid said he has already faced such action, and hoped Muhyiddin will be prepared for what is to come.
“I am always open (to be investigated). I have been investigated and brought to court. I am ready anytime.
“But don’t tepuk air di dulang, muka kita terpercik (slap water on the trap, and get splashed in the face),” Zahid said, using a Malay proverb akin to “those who play with fire get burned”.
Does Muhyiddin deserve such a tongue-lashing from the UMNO president? You tell me.
I believe Malaysians will be hearing more of the mudslinging from the two sides in the days and weeks ahead. As if we are not already fed up with too much of the verbal diarrhoea from politicians.
What I earnestly wish to see today is for all political leaders, including Muhyiddin, who have been charged to be patient and trust in the judiciary process and the integrity of our judges.
If we do not trust our judiciary because all of our judges are known to be corrupt, then God help us. If that is not the case, then we should give space to the rule of law to take place without interference by anyone. We have no choice but to have faith in the system which we have established ourselves.
Muhyiddin must also take note that he is not the only political leader being charged in court. There are other senior politicians including Deputy Prime Minister Zahid, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who have also been slapped with corruption charges.
Again, it is important to bear in mind that although someone may have been charged, they remain innocent until the court convicts them. Even then, there are avenues for them to appeal the decision to higher courts.
I think Muhyiddin should accept that the rule of law has to run its course and the next best thing for him to do is to exercise patience and not make matters worse by continuously hurling allegations against his opponents, especially the government.
At this stage of the game, Muhyiddin should know that he is at a distinct disadvantage as he is the one on the accused stand, having to respond to the charges against him.
From now, Muhyiddin should do well to work out with his legal team and organise the best possible defence.
He should concentrate on his defence from this day forward and allow his confrontation mode to take a rest.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
