Muhyiddin Acquitted of One Corruption Charge, Three AMLA Charges Involving RM200 Million Jana Wibawa Case

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was granted a discharge and acquittal (DNA) by the High Court here on Tuesday on one charge of using his position to obtain gratification and three money laundering charges involving RM200 million, following proceedings in the Jana Wibawa programme case.

Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin made the ruling after the prosecution decided not to proceed with four of the seven charges related to Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd.

She said the decision was made after considering submissions from both parties and the relevant law under Section 254(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

According to the judge, the provision allows the public prosecutor, at any stage of a trial before judgment is delivered, to inform the court that the prosecution will not proceed further against an accused person on a particular charge.

The judge said the prosecution did not provide any reasons for its application other than stating that it did not wish to proceed with the charges and leaving the matter to the court’s discretion.

“Therefore, I am of the view that, in the interests of justice, the court’s discretion should be exercised in favour of the accused.

“The court grants a discharge and acquittal for these four cases only. We will proceed with the trial on the remaining three charges related to Jana Wibawa,” she said.

Upon hearing the decision, Muhyiddin, who was seated in the dock, appeared relieved as cheers erupted from his supporters in the public gallery.

According to one of the charges, Muhyiddin, in his capacity as a public officer, namely the Prime Minister and president of Bersatu, was accused of using his position to obtain RM200 million in gratification from Bukhary Equity for his associate, the political party.

The offence was alleged to have been committed at the Prime Minister’s Office, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya, between Feb 8 and 25, 2021.

The charge was framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

The provision carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

For the other three charges, Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, was accused of receiving RM200 million in proceeds from unlawful activities from Bukhary Equity, which was deposited into CIMB and AmBank accounts belonging to the party.

The offences were alleged to have been committed at CIMB Bank’s Menara KL branch in Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, and AmBank’s Amcorp Mall branch in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, between Feb 25, 2021 and Feb 8, 2022, as well as on July 8, 2022.

The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b), read together with Section 87(1), of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA), and punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.

The provision carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the proceeds from the unlawful activity or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Sinar Harian