KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has arrived at the court complex here at 8.50am to hear the verdict on his application to quash four bribery and abuse of power charges against him.
The high court is set to decide today on Muhyiddin’s application to drop the four charges against him, which detail that he is accused of allegedly using his position as then prime minister and Bersatu president to obtain gratification amounting to RM232.5 million linked to the Jana Wibawa initiative.
Also present at the court complex here to show their support for Muhyiddin was Selangor PN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who recently secured the Hulu Kelang state seat and returning Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham.
Muhyiddin’s counsel Datuk Hisyam Teh had previously argued that the four charges are defective in nature and bad in law as the respondent had failed to particularise how his client had allegedly committed the offences.
In response, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin had submitted that the charges are not discriminatory as they state the form of the charge, particulars as to time, place and person (accused) as well as how the offence was committed.
He also said that the Pagoh MP’s rights as afforded to him under the federal constitution have not been violated as the trial has not yet started.
Last April 18, Muhyiddin filed a notice of motion to request that he be acquitted and discharged of the four charges, alleging that the charges lacked particulars as to how he had abused his position or the Prime Minister’s Office for bribery-related purposes.
The RM232.5 million, allegedly for party use, is said to have come from three companies, namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd as well as from one Datuk Azman Yusof.
In addition to the four charges, Muhyiddin is also facing two charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM195 million from Bukhary Equity which was deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account.
Muhyiddin was also charged in the Shah Alam Sessions Court last March 13 with receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM5 million. The case has since been transferred to the sessions court here to be tried with the other cases. – August 15, 2023