KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin confirmed today that his and his wife's bank accounts have been frozen by the authorities.
In a statement shared on his social media account, the Perikatan Nasional secretary-general claimed the action taken by authorities against him and his wife were the result of interference by certain top leaders in the unity government.
"The freeze (on my and my wife's bank accounts), of which information was spread to the media, is a desperate attempt by the government led by (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim to continue exerting pressure on PN leaders, who are increasingly gaining the trust of the people.
"It is also continuous dirty tactics employed to paint a bad perception of PN, especially after the support of the people has shifted in favour of the coalition, as reflected in the outcome of the recently concluded state polls where we won 146 out of 245 seats in the six states," said Hamzah, who is also Larut member of parliament.
Hamzah also likened the recent action imposed by the authorities against him and his wife to the political persecution of PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"Such political prosecution is similar to the action imposed against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Attorney-General's Chambers were used to defame PN leaders.
"The Kuala Lumpur High Court judge (had) however quashed the charges which were deemed as defective, baseless, unclear and not in line with the Criminal Procedure Code.
"I am sure that there will be more political action that will be taken against me and PN leaders in the near future, including using the police to investigate me for criticising DAP during the campaigning for the state polls," he said.
Hamzah also said the so-called action against him will neither deter nor stop his struggles for the people.
"For the future of this nation and the people, I will continue to fight against this tyrannical government," he said.
Hamzah added that he also submitted a letter of demand to the MACC, its chief commissioner and the government.
"I have also asked my legal team to prepare the necessary papers to initiate legal proceedings against the MACC, its chief commissioner and the government for dragging my name into a case which I have nothing to do with," he said.
It was reported that the bank accounts of Hamzah and his family members were reportedly frozen by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
Sources suggested that the action was part of an ongoing investigation by the MACC into the connection between the Bersatu secretary-general and a corruption case involving businessman Datuk Seri Sim Choo Thiam amounting to RM15 million.