He said the reports were made not only by local media but by international agencies as well.
He said the government should not bring up the issue of fake news in order to warn the media against reporting on 1MDB.
“Do not use ‘fake news’ as an excuse. Why has there been no action taken after two years?” he said at a press conference to announce lecturer Maszlee Malik’s move to join PPBM here today.
Muhyiddin, who was deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president from 2009 to 2016, said some of the “fake news” on 1MDB had even come from “the other side”, referring to Barisan Nasional (BN).
Yesterday, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari warned that those who continued propagating and spreading fake news, especially involving 1MDB, would face stern action.
“We have identified several online news portals which, in their bid to tarnish the image and reputation of the prime minister (Najib Razak), have been reviving the 1MDB issue.”
He said among these portals were the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Economist, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and also MSNBC, which were alleged to have published fake news about 1MDB since last week.
“We at the ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), are monitoring the issue now.”
He said the 1MDB case had been investigated by the relevant authorities, including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and all allegations about the misappropriation of funds were proven false.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is Pakatan Harapan (PH) deputy president, said BN’s criticisms on PH’s manifesto for the 14th general election (GE14), unveiled on March 9, were expected.
He said PH’s ability to deliver the promises made would not be hampered, claiming that the coalition had “scholars and experts who can analyse the economy”.
PPBM policy and strategy bureau chairman Rais Hussin challenged BN to a debate on the two coalitions’ manifestos.
“We want to have a debate with the author of BN’s manifesto after they launch it. Accept the challenge if you are brave enough,” he said.