(Oct 12): Malaysia’s integrity has taken a beating as a result of controversies related to state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told his constituents in Pagoh, Johor, today.

He said Malaysians were ashamed to admit their nationality after issues surrounding 1MDB had grabbed the international spotlight.

“I don’t think it was fair but I do understand why,” said Muhyiddin at a meeting of village heads in Pagoh today.

“I was in Indonesia recently as I was there for my golf charity function and someone quite prominent contacted me and wanted to meet.

“He wanted to know what has really happened in Malaysia. So I told him the truth. Mind you, this happened abroad. They are concerned about their neighbouring country Malaysia,” said Muhyiddin.

He said people wanted to know the truth about 1MDB and what the government was doing about current issues.

“(People want to know) whether it has to do with the leadership or the government. How are we going to explain? How are we going to choose what is the right information? So the only way is to ask and to speak out.”

He added that the global community used to talk about the greatness of Malaysia but not any more.

“We were once known for our rapid development, our economy but now only the bad things as if all the good things have gone.”

Muhyiddin, who was sacked as deputy prime minister for criticising 1MDB in July, is still Umno deputy president.

He said government’s handling of 1MDB has had an impact on the integrity of the country’s leadership and on Umno, the lead party in the ruling coalition.

“Johor is an Umno and Barisan Nasional stronghold. We would like to maintain that. But the problem now is the people’s perception. It’s about leadership, 1MDB, RM2.6 billion and other issues,” said Muhyiddin to a crowd of about 300 village heads.

Muhyiddin said he had done nothing wrong in speaking up about 1MDB.

“As a friend, I gave my opinion about the economy and on 1MDB issue even though he is the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak). I said if it is not dealt with properly it will affect the country. I spoke up while I was still in the government.

“Even the rulers’ council issued a statement about 1MDB recently. This mean that I am not in the wrong. It also showed that they also understand what is happening. We cannot ignore that.”

Earlier today, Muhyiddin had given a press conference with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and a few other veteran leaders in jointly condemning Putrajaya’s use of an anti-terrorism law against 1MDB critics. – The Malaysian Insider