Muhyiddin’s trial for abuse of position, money laundering begins tomorrow

2026-03-08 - 07:34

The Attorney-General’s Chambers dismissed Muhyiddin Yassin’s representations to drop the seven charges against him last October. KUALA LUMPUR: The trial of Muhyiddin Yassin on charges of abuse of position involving bribes totalling RM232.5 million and receiving RM200 million in proceeds from illegal activities when he was the prime minister will begin at the High Court here tomorrow. Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said the proceedings will commence at 9am before Justice Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin. He told Bernama the prosecution will present an opening statement outlining the charges and evidence against Muhyiddin. Two witnesses are also expected to testify later in the day. The prosecution is expected to call 30 witnesses to testify. Muhyiddin, 78, was charged with four counts of using his position as prime minister and Bersatu president to obtain bribes totalling RM232.5 million in relation to the Jana Wibawa initiative from three companies – Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd – as well as Azman Yusoff for the party. The offences were allegedly committed at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021. He was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law. The section provides for imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted. He also faces three counts of receiving proceeds from illegal activities totalling RM200 million from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, which were deposited into Bersatu’s Ambank and CIMB Bank accounts in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur between February 2021 and July 2022. The charges, framed under Section 4(1)(b) read with Section 87(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provide for a jail term for up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction. On Oct 7 last year, the Attorney-General’s Chambers dismissed Muhyiddin’s representations to drop the seven charges against him. On Nov 10 last year, Noor Ruwena set 29 days in March, April, May, July and August to hear the case.