“In my struggle, I adhere to the principles of the rejection of corruption, robbery, and anyone who takes bribes.

“But because I want to become prime minister, I am willing to sacrifice my principles and struggle, and appoint such a person as my deputy,” Berita Harian reported Azmin as saying, as he mocked Anwar’s choice of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as deputy prime minister.

Azmin claimed that Anwar’s collaboration with Zahid contradicts what the former fought for before becoming prime minister.

“Anwar used to teach us to fight against corruption, but today he embraces people who accept bribes. He promised the people of Johor and he invited us to take to the streets to fight kleptocrats and corruption.

“Today, he embraces and hugs those who took bribes, so we will definitely oppose Anwar,” the Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief said.

Azmin questioned the silence of Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders and supporters on recent developments, especially with Umno leaders accused of corruption and subsequently acquitted by the courts.

“Where are the PH supporters? Where is Lim Guan Eng? Where is Mat Sabu? He is riding cows. People are riding horses, he is riding cows,” Azmin said at the grand finale of the Simpang Jeram PN programme last night.

Also present were PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Kelantan menteri besar Nassuruddin Daud and Muafakat Nasional chairman Annuar Musa.

On Monday, the KL High Court gave Zahid a discharge not amounting to an acquittal from 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving funds from his foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.