SHAH ALAM – Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is again expected in court today, this time on another graft charge brought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC).
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had confirmed that the additional charge will be under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.
Last week, Muhyiddin was charged with four offences under the MACC Act 2009 and two offences under AMLATFPUAA.
Previously, the MACC froze bank accounts belonging to Muhyiddin’s party Bersatu while the former prime minister was slapped with a travel ban by the Immigration Department.
Muhyiddin, 75, is the second former prime minister to face graft charges after Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is being prosecuted for his alleged role in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd financial scandal.
Join us as we bring you live updates inside and outside the courtroom. – The Vibes, March 13, 2023
Additional reporting by Farah Deanna
9.36am: When speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Wan Fayhsal questioned how the MACC investigation into Muhyiddin was conducted.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) March 13, 2023
“Let the rakyat be the judge,” pic.twitter.com/9AKrvCtle1
9.36am: Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Wan Fayhsal questions how the MACC investigation into Muhyiddin was conducted.
“First, it was alleged that the allegations were about Jana Wibawa, but now the charges are related to Bukhary Equity.
“Let the rakyat be the judge,” says the Bersatu Youth chief.
9.20am: When exiting the courtroom, Muhyiddin tells the press that his next court date will be in May, leaving the building soon after.
With today’s charge, Muhyiddin is facing a total of seven charges, including four counts of abuse of power amounting to RM232.5 million and two counts of receiving RM195 million in illicit funds.
9.17am: Judge Rozilah has allowed for the case to be transferred to and mentioned at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court. Case mention is set for May 26.
The bail requirements that were set in Muhyiddin’s previous charges last Friday are also applied in this case.
Muhyiddin was ordered to pay RM2 million in bail, with two sureties, and to surrender his international passport.
9.11am: Muhyiddin claims trial to money laundering amounting to RM5 million when the charge is read to him at the dock.
However, the audio was not clear when the charge was read out by the court interpreter, before DPP Akram had applied for the case to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur sessions court.
According to the charge sheet, Muhyiddin had allegedly received RM5 million from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd and subsequently deposited the funds into Bersatu’s bank account.
The charge is under Section 4(1)(b) of AMLATFPUAA. If found guilty, Muhyiddin faces 15 years in prison, would be liable to a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the proceeds of the unlawful activity at the time the offence was committed or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
He had allegedly committed the offence at the Ambank Amcorp Mall branch in Petaling Jaya on January 2, 2022.
9.05am: Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Akram has informed the court that the prosecution wishes to apply for the case to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur sessions court and for case mention to be set on May 26.
9am: Kumaraendran has informed the court that PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and lawyer Rosli Dahlan will also represent Muhyiddin. However, they are not present in the courtroom due to other affairs.
8.58am: Muhyiddin enters the courtroom.
8.50am: Muhyiddin is represented by Datuk K. Kumaraendran, Chetan Jethwani, Dev Kumaraendran, Amiratu Al Amirat Saleh Mohamed Garbaa, Mohd Isa Mohamad Basir, Shahir Ab Razak, Teh See Khoon, Varsha Chelvi, and Raja Syuhada Raja Khairuddin.
The prosecution is led by Ahmad Akram Gharib, Mohd Fadhly Mohd Zamry, Zander Lim Wai Keong, Kalai Vani Annadorai, and Maziah Mohaide.
8.40am: About 20 Muhyiddin supporters are gathered outside the court complex.
8.35am: Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has been spotted at the court complex. pic.twitter.com/XBB3fxIuDc
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) March 13, 2023
8.35am: Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal have been spotted at the court complex.
8.20am: Muhyiddin has arrived at the court complex here. So far, it has been a subdued morning, lacking boisterous party members and droves of supporters as compared to last week when the Bersatu president was charged at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court.
8.10am: Muhyiddin is expected to be charged in the sessions court here in relation to funds in the Bersatu account.
Based on an e-judiciary check, the case will be heard before judge Rozilah Salleh at 9am.
7.50am: More than 30 media personnel have gathered at the Shah Alam court complex ahead of Muhyiddin’s arrival. Yesterday, a call was issued for his supporters to gather at the building to show their support for the former prime minister.
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