FORMER prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been granted temporary release of his passport to attend his eldest granddaughter's graduation in London at the end of this month.
Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob allowed the application after Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Asma Ahmad informed the court that the prosecution did not object to the application.
“The passport is handed over to the accused (Muhyiddin) today and must be returned to the court on August 20,” said Rozina.
Asked by Rozina why the passport was needed early, Muhyiddin’s lawyer, Datuk Seri K. Kumaraendran said it was for his client to obtain clearance from the Immigration Department.
According to the supporting affidavit for the application, Muhyiddin stated that he and his wife would attend the graduation ceremony of their eldest granddaughter on July 23 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London.
Muhyiddin, 77, said his granddaughter, Iman Suraya Fakhri Yassin, completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with first-class honours in business administration from the University of Westminster, London.
“I want to attend my granddaughter’s graduation ceremony because it is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I want to witness and recognise her success.
“My granddaughter has also expressed her desire for both my wife and I to attend her graduation ceremony to witness her achievement,” Muhyiddin said in the affidavit.
Muhyiddin said he was not a flight risk and as all his family and assets are in the country, it was impossible for him to leave them or abscond.
This is the Perikatan Nasional chairman’s fourth successful application for permission to travel abroad since he was charged in March last year.
In the same proceeding, Rozina also scheduled August 30 for Muhyiddin’s application to defer the abuse of position case and money laundering charges against the former Bersatu president, pending a decision on the review application by the appellate court panel.
In March last year, before the Sessions Court, Muhyiddin claimed trial to four counts of abuse of power and three money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million linked to Jana Wibawa.
He is accused of committing the act at the Prime Minister’s Office, Perdana Putra Building, Federal Government Administrative Centre in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020, and August 20, 2021.
He was also charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on March 13 last year with receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM5 million, and the case had been transferred to the Sessions Court for a joint trial.
On August 15 last year, the High Court acquitted and discharged Muhyiddin of four counts of abuse of power involving RM232.5 million in connection with the Jana Wibawa project. – July 3, 2024.
