Malaysia’s former PM Muhyiddin Yassin arrested, faces graft charges

Malaysia's former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been arrested and will be brought to court to face corruption charges, the anti-graft agency said on Thursday. Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia from March 2020 to August 2021, will be the country's second leader to face charges after leaving office.

Ex-prime minister Najib Razak was hit with multiple bribery charges after losing the 2018 general election and in August began a 12-year prison sentence after losing his latest appeal in the first of several trials. The anti-graft agency said Muhyiddin would face several charges on Friday related to alleged abuse and money laundering linked to government projects awarded under his administration.

Muhyiddin, 75, went to the anti-graft agency earlier Thursday to answer questions for the second time in three weeks. He was first questioned in February over the awarding of projects, including the economic aid programs for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who took power after November's general election, has ordered a review of government projects approved by previous administrations for alleged non-compliance. Two senior leaders from Muhyiddin's Bersat party were also recently charged with bribery. The anti-graft agency has frozen Bersatu's bank accounts amid an investigation into alleged illegal proceedings.

Muhyiddin, who leads a strong Islamist-dominated opposition, has denied any wrongdoing and accused Anwar's government of trying to crush the opposition ahead of state elections.