KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has applied for the temporary release of his passport to facilitate travel to Thailand as part of attempts to strengthen bilateral ties.
The application, which was filed via the former prime minister’s counsel, Messrs Chetan Jethwani & Co, on January 31, comes amid his ongoing money laundering case involving RM200 million in funds linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
Among the items on Muhyiddin’s itinerary, according to his affidavit in support of the application, is a visit to the Malaysian business community in Thailand “to discuss business matters that will benefit two-way relations between Malaysia and Thailand”.
“I will also visit several leaders, scholars and important Muslim leaders in Bangkok for the continuity of relations outside the government sphere.
“Family relations and ties between citizens of Malaysia and Thailand need to be maintained not only for religious reasons but also for the sake of the countries,” Muhyiddin said.
Noting that his contacts in Thailand would like to meet him as they are “worried” about “things” happening to him here.
The Bersatu president also said that he has been invited to the official opening of Phrigkiao, a halal-certified restaurant in Bangkok run by one of his close Malaysian friends.
“They invited me for the opening ceremony as a token of appreciation (for me as a) Malaysian national leader,” Muhyiddin said, adding that he would usually visit his acquaintances in Thailand with his wife on a yearly basis.
Besides that, Muhyiddin also said he and his wife intend to leave for Bangkok on February 15 and return on February 21, pointing to flight reservations made by his appointed travel agency.
However, deputy public prosecutor Xander Lim has filed an affidavit to oppose the application, claiming that the excuses furnished by Muhyiddin are unreasonable and do not show a pressing need to allow a temporary release of his passport.
“He has neither the right nor the privilege to secure his passport, which has been kept by the court as he is still facing money laundering charges,” Lim said, adding that there are court proceedings on February 15 that Muhyiddin is required to attend.
“(Muhyiddin) is well aware (of the date for the court proceeding), and yet he still booked flight tickets for travel on the same date.”
In November last year, sessions court judge Azura Alwi denied Muhyiddin’s bid for the permanent return of his passport but allowed the temporary retrieval of his passport until January 15.
Muhyiddin had filed an application to permanently retrieve his international passport on October 16, citing that it would be used for his family trip to the United Kingdom and medical check-ups in Singapore.
In August, the high court here struck out four abuse of power charges brought against him on the grounds that they were defective as the charges did not disclose any offence known to law.
He still faces three charges related to money laundering connected to the Jana Wibawa project. However, he filed an application last October to quash the three charges. – February 6, 2024