Speaking to Youth wing members at the party’s annual general assembly here, Wan Fayhsal said that Muhyiddin’s case does not involve a “large worldwide financial scandal” like 1MDB.

“I wish to remind (Bersatu members that) Muhyiddin is not Najib. The Malays are smart enough to know the difference between ‘glass and diamond’,” the former deputy national unity minister said.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin was charged with four counts of abuse of power and two counts of money laundering at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court over the Jana Wibawa programme. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Najib, meanwhile, was convicted on charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering involving RM42 million in SRC International funds that went into his bank accounts. He is currently serving his 12-year jail sentence in Kajang prison. SRC International was a 1MDB subsidiary.

Wan Fayhsal said that Muhyiddin’s case is related to political financing, which was not illegal.

“I will make sure members and leaders defend him (Muhyiddin),” he added.

Meanwhile, Wan Fayhsal also took aim at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s suggestion that Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors, who have been pushing for another round of withdrawals, be allowed to use their retirement funds as collateral for loans from banks.

He said this showed that Anwar, who is also the finance minister, had failed to find a solution to help those most in need, despite being assisted by prominent economic advisers.

“That’s not what the rakyat want. If you were to check all the comments (on social media), I think they are all negative towards the proposal,” he said.

“I think the government, or perhaps the finance minister, should come up with a proper proposal.”