The betrayal that cost Muhyiddin his job

SHAH ALAM – Former Prime Minister and Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has reflected on the defining moment of his political career when speaking out against the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which cost him his position as Deputy Prime Minister.

"You have to speak the truth, even when the truth is painful. I spoke. And what happened to me? It is history. I was sad," he told Sinar Daily, recounting his removal from the Cabinet in 2015 after publicly questioning the handling of the 1MDB issue under then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Muhyiddin, who served as Najib’s deputy from 2009 until his sacking, said his conscience and faith left him with no choice but to act when allegations of financial mismanagement at 1MDB emerged.

"I was the Deputy Prime Minister, always sitting on his right side. I knew well that I was appointed by him as his deputy and he was the Prime Minister. I know who held the power. But what is your job? Your job is to tell the truth. Being a Muslim, you don’t lie," he said.

Muhyiddin emphasised that leaders carry trust and a responsibility to act when they see wrongdoing.

The Pagoh MP stressed that according to Islamic principles, one must act when they see wrongdoing and he had given Najib repeated warnings, but felt he was not taken seriously.

"I gave him caution, warnings many times. But unfortunately, I was a small boy, a small kid, maybe of lesser importance to him," he added.

Muhyiddin felt vindicated as court proceedings on the 1MDB scandal continued.

“Look what happened now. I’ve been vindicated because I know what I said was right.

"The court is still proceeding with the cases. It’s not resolved. So, it is your responsibility. Don’t worry about your job. That job is given by God. Allah gives you the position, but the responsibility to speak the truth is yours," he added.

Muhyiddin expressed no regret about standing his ground, even though it meant losing his ministerial post.

“It was painful, yes, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not dead. I’m still alive, I’m still here,” he said.

Muhyiddin was dismissed from the Cabinet in July 2015 after repeatedly questioning Najib over the state fund that later became the subject of a massive global investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering.

Najib was subsequently charged and convicted in relation to 1MDB-linked offences, though he continues to maintain his innocence and is appealing against several of the verdicts.

Muhyiddin went on to co-found Bersatu and eventually rose to the premiership in 2020, steering Malaysia through the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic before stepping down in 2021.