KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — Don’t be surprised if in the future someone is arrested for posting a TikTok video that upsets the current government, former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin warned Malaysians today.
The Pagoh MP said current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from Pakatan Harapan (PH) is only interested in holding on to power and will do whatever he can to protect it.
“Be prepared. Media freedom will be restricted. Freedom of speech will be suppressed. Freedom to assemble will be prohibited. Don’t be surprised if TikTok users are arrested. Social media commenters will be pressured. Because that’s their way,” he said in his speech to Bersatu delegates at the party’s annual general assembly here.
He added that those in authority now used to be vocal in making defamatory statements, but now used their power for oppression.
The eighth prime minister also claimed those in authority now would resort to tactics like redrawing electoral constituencies to ensure they remain in power forever.
He alleged that such methods will be to the detriment of the country’s biggest demographic group.
“Malays aren't stupid, they know the ‘All Powerful’ in Putrajaya is only interested in holding on to power, not defend the rights of the Malays. Is this the kind of government we want?” he asked.
He asserted that he was being made a “political target” for his party Bersatu ahead of the elections in six states.
But Muhyiddin predicted that the governments of the day will soon have their reckoning at the ballot boxes.
“The state elections in six states will see a mass rejection of PH by the Malays,” the Bersatu president said.
The six states due to hold their elections this year are Penang, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan which are under PH control, as well as PAS-led Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.
PAS, like Bersatu, is a component party of the Perikatan Nasional coalition, of which Muhyiddin is chairman.
Muhyiddin was charged at the Sessions Court here last Friday with four counts of bribery involving RM232 million and two counts of money laundering totalling RM195 million when he served as PM from February 2020 to August 2021 .
