SHAH ALAM: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is considering legal action against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the bank involved over the prolonged freezing of its accounts, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Describing the situation as “illegal and an abuse of power”, the Bersatu president said the party’s accounts remained frozen beyond the legal limit of 12 months, although no charges were brought against them.

Muhyiddin also said Bersatu’s attempts to open new bank accounts had been blocked, leaving the party unable to effectively manage its finances.

“This is unfair and unconstitutional. We have never been accused of wrongdoing, so why are we being punished like this?” he said.

“I have discussed this with our legal team and asked them to explore all avenues to take action against the responsible authorities,” he added during a press conference at the annual general meeting party held at the Ideal Convention Center on Sunday, December 1st.

Muhyiddin further criticized the MACC for asking the bank involved not to release funds from Bersatu’s accounts, describing the directive as oppressive.

“We are also considering legal action against the bank which did not allow us access to our accounts, making it impossible for us to cover our expenses or pay our commitments,” he said.

He added that the situation has seriously hampered the party’s operations and undermined their constitutional rights.

“Our lawyers have indicated that the freeze is unjustified under the law, as MACC can only freeze accounts for a maximum period of 12 months. Yet after 12 months, accounts are still frozen for no reason valid,” said the former Prime Minister.

Muhyiddin added that Bersatu had filed an application with the court to unfreeze its accounts, but the hearing, initially scheduled for this year, was postponed to January 23 next year.

“Our secretary general and lawyers attended the hearing, but no decision was made and it was further delayed. How can we survive if the government does this?” he said.

“Even to organize a gathering like this, which costs about RM400,000, we had to collect small contributions from members because we cannot access our accounts,” he added.

Earlier, in her closing speech, party treasurer-general Datuk Seri Rina Harun said Bersatu’s financial situation was at a critical point after its official bank accounts were frozen by authorities.

She said the party is currently facing financial challenges in organizing its activities, especially during grassroots meetings.

“The financial situation of our party is becoming critical. Our accounts are still frozen and seized. I will find a way to resolve this problem,” she said.

Rina added that various approaches have been implemented by the party to generate revenue, including entering the entrepreneurship sector.

“Our house is facing an internal problem (financial challenges) which needs to be resolved. If we are able to help the party, our love for the party will deepen.

“I also want to mobilize treasurers at the state and divisional level so that we can generate revenue and build the economy, or at least allow the divisions to operate independently,” she said.

In January last year, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that several bank accounts belonging to Bersatu had been frozen to facilitate an investigation.

Azam said the accounts were frozen to facilitate an investigation into funds believed to have been obtained from illegal proceeds.