RM432.5 Million Scandal: Trial of Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin Begins Monday Over Corruption and Money Laundering Charges

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court trial of former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin is set to begin tomorrow, marking a significant legal development in one of the country’s high-profile corruption cases.

The proceedings will take place at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, where the 78-year-old former premier faces multiple charges related to abuse of power and money laundering involving hundreds of millions of ringgit.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin confirmed that the trial will start at 9am before Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin. The prosecution will begin by presenting its opening statement outlining the allegations and evidence against the accused. At least two witnesses are expected to testify on the first day of the trial.

The court has allocated 29 hearing days for the case, scheduled across several months throughout 2026, beginning from March and continuing until late August.

Muhyiddin, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister from 2020 to 2021 and is the president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, faces seven charges linked to the government’s Jana Wibawa Project, an initiative launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to support Bumiputera contractors.

According to prosecutors, Muhyiddin allegedly abused his position to obtain bribes totaling RM232.5 million from several companies, including Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, as well as businessman Azman Yusoff. The alleged offenses were said to have taken place at the Perdana Putra prime minister’s office complex in Putrajaya between March 2020 and August 2021.

The charges fall under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.

In addition, Muhyiddin faces three money-laundering charges involving RM200 million allegedly deposited into accounts belonging to his political party at AmBank and CIMB Bank branches in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur between February 2021 and July 2022.

These charges are brought under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of at least five times the value of the illicit proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

The Attorney General’s Chambers had previously rejected Muhyiddin’s application in October last year to have the charges dropped. Prosecutors are expected to call around 30 witnesses throughout the trial as they attempt to prove the case.

The trial is being closely watched as it involves a former national leader and could have significant political implications in Malaysia.