Muhyiddin Yassin has expressed support for Umno Youth's demand for answers on the Tabung Haji-1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) land deal.

According to Bernama , the deputy premier said even if the deal was done legally, Tabung Haji contributors might perceive that move was a bailout.

Umno Youth had demanded answers to several specific questions on the deal from Tabung Haji and the finance ministry, which is led by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Muhyiddin is currently in Milan, Italy on a three-day working visit.

Tabung Haji bought 1.56 acres of the 70-acre land in Tun Razak Exchange owned by 1MDB for RM188.5 million. It worked out to about RM2,779 per square foot (psf).

1MDB had a few years ago bought the entire 70 acres of the land from the government for a mere RM194.1 million, or about RM74.20psf.

Tackling 'complicated' issue

On the Permatang Pauh by-election, Muhyiddin, who is currently in Milan on a three-day working visit, said BN's inability to respond to national issues such as the goods and services tax (GST) and the 1MDB controversy  contributed to its failure.

According to Utusan Online , Muhyiddin told reporters that rural folk are not interested in development but are more concerned about "complicated" issues.

Other news reports quoted the deputy premier as saying that even he had trouble explaining the 1MDB issue to voters.

"I don't even know what to say (to them)... The rakyat wants to know, not just Dr Mahathir Mohamad ."

"The rakyat wants to know why no one has been charged, why the 1MDB board has not been sacked, and about the position of the CEO and the prime minister as adviser," said Muhyiddin.

In a related development, Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal urged the authorities to ensure that Tabung Haji contributors are confident that their savings would not be compromised.

He added that the 1MDB issue needs to be viewed seriously and answers must be forthcoming.

"I'm not the only one worried about this issue. The public in general are worried.

"The matter became worse when we were told that (1MDB) sold land to another body which held public trust.

"If this issue is not handled properly, I fear that the government's credibility will continue to be questioned," he said in a press statement.