Muhyiddin accuses Anwar of 'dosa kering' over Indonesia row

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin regards PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's action of tarnishing his own country's image in Indonesia as a big sin.

The deputy prime minister said Anwar was not a real leader as he was not responsible for what he said, in fact he was willing to say anything to destroy the country's image just to gain political mileage.

"It's all a big lie....'dosa kering' (wilful sinning).

"What Anwar has said is proof that he is prepared to lie and do anything to hurt the country to serve his own political interest and ambition," he said following Anwar's statement made in Indonesia in which he accused the Malaysian media of encouraging negative perception of Indonesia.

Muhyiddin was speaking to reporters after presenting a keynote address at the International Herald Tribune Forum, here Tuesday.

He said the people should also judge Anwar's actions of making baseless accusations and tarnishing Malaysia's image as irresponsible.

"I believe the media in Malaysia are responsible institutions and they have not exploited the (Malaysia-Indonesia) issues as what have been done by the Indonesian media."

Muhyiddin stressed that Malaysia and Indonesia had good relations at all levels and that the tension that occurred of late was caused by a small group of people in the republic.

On another matter, he believed Malaysia would fare better in attracting foreign investors if its image was not tainted by Anwar's infamous sodomy trial.

"Of course it's true that if there is no such case, Malaysia would be in a better position. But let's leave it to the court to decide, the sooner the case is disposed of, the better for us," he said.

He was asked to comment on Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson's remark on Monday that the ongoing tria! l was "a thorn" in Malaysia's otherwise good reputation.

On the remark, Muhyiddin said he would take it to mean that the British industrialist still saw Malaysia as a good destination for investment.

"I take his view as not interfering in Malaysia's internal affairs but in light of how to support Malaysia's initiatives to attract more investments," he added.
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