Speaking on The Tiger Show podcast, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz alleged that Wan Saiful received various privileges from Muhyiddin.
“When it comes to being a golden boy, the ones who got all sorts of benefits were Wan Saiful and WAF,” he said, referring to Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
“Wan Saiful got Jana Wibawa,” he said in jest.
“Muhyiddin even pushed for Wan Saiful to be nominated as the Perikatan Nasional candidate for Tasek Gelugor in the 15th general election even though he was the party chief in Bangi.
“And yet he (Wan Saiful) still says Azmin is the golden boy.”
Tun Faisal also claimed that Wan Fayhsal had received numerous privileges through his appointment as deputy minister when Muhyiddin was the prime minister.
Wan Saiful has ridiculed the close ties between Azmin and Muhyiddin, suggesting that Azmin is Muhyiddin’s “golden boy” who enjoys special treatment and appears to be “untouchable” within the party.
Speaking on the PODaBoom podcast on Oct 24, he claimed that Muhyiddin was willing to sideline party hierarchy and lose founding members to protect Azmin.
He further claimed that Bersatu grassroots members were unhappy with Azmin’s privileged position, including his appointment as PN secretary-general, and alleged that PAS had expressed discomfort with the move in a letter to Muhyiddin.
Wan Saiful was sacked by Bersatu on Oct 14 for violating the party’s constitution and code of conduct. Wan Fayhsal was also suspended for the same reason.
Wan Saiful is standing trial on corruption and money laundering charges linked to the Jana Wibawa project, a Covid-19 stimulus initiative aimed at assisting Bumiputera contractors during Muhyiddin’s tenure as the prime minister.
Muhyiddin, meanwhile, is facing four abuse of power charges and three money laundering charges.
The four abuse of power charges relate to his time as the prime minister and Bersatu president, where he allegedly solicited RM232.5 million in bribes from one individual and three companies.
The three money laundering charges concern RM200 million in funds allegedly received from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd and deposited into his party’s account.