KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is facing calls to step down from both positions after being charged with sedition in Kelantan today, related to his speech during the Nenggiri by-election campaign.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi said that the former prime minister should resign from his chairmanship and party posts, citing integrity concerns, especially given the previous charges Muhyiddin faced in the Jana Wibawa case.
Puad said that Muhyiddin should follow the example of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who stepped down as Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president following their defeat in the 14th general election in 2018.
"There's no need to use the excuse that he hasn't been convicted yet. This is about integrity. He was charged with corruption over the Jana Wibawa issue. Today, he's also been charged over the 3R issue.
"Muhyiddin should follow Najib's example. He resigned when Barisan Nasional lost in GE14. At that time, he hadn't even been charged yet," Puad said in a Facebook post.
He also questioned Muhyiddin's decision to remain in both posts despite the "heavy baggage" he carries and Bersatu's significant defeat to BN in the recent Nenggiri by-election.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin was charged under the Sedition Act at the Gua Musang Sessions Court for allegedly raising sensitive issues related to race, religion, and royalty during the Nenggiri state seat by-election campaign.
He is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 504 of the Penal Code.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain previously said that the police had recorded statements from 66 witnesses to assist in the investigation.