Ankara, 09 March 2023 (Anadolu News)

Malaysia's anti-graft agency on Thursday arrested former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on multiple charges, including money laundering, abuse of power, and profiting from unlawful activities, local media said.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed his arrest and said he will face a number of charges at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Friday, according to the local daily The Star.

Muhyiddin was the country's eighth prime minister, taking office in Feb. 2020 following the resignation of veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad. However, he was forced to resign after losing coalition support in Aug. 2021.

Since losing to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a closely contested election last November, he and his party have faced graft investigations.

"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirms that it has detained the former Prime Minister at 1 pm (0500GMT) at the MACC Putrajaya Headquarters after he appeared to be interviewed to complete the final investigation process regarding the Jana Wibawa project and related issues," the daily said, citing a statement from the anti-graft agency.

Muhyiddin and his other aides are accused of receiving profit from contractors in exchange for projects, the daily said, adding that the former prime minister has denied the allegations and called them political smears and victimization.

His former Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the graft commission is expected to release the former premier later on Thursday.

“The latest update is that he will be released later and then he will join us for salatul hajat (prayer of need)," Abdullah was quoted as saying in the daily.

“I am not sure what time, but it would be later,” he added.