Muhyiddin to file strike-out bid against 3 money laundering charges

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin would be filing an application to strike out the three money laundering charges against him.

The Perikatan Nasional chairperson’s defence counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik informed the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court of the application this morning.

On Aug 15, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed Muhyidin’s application to nullify the four abuse of power charges against him linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

However, the prosecution has since appealed to the Court of Appeal to reverse this acquittal.

Hisyam informed Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi about the defence team’s intent to quash the three money laundering charges.

“On the three (money laundering) charges, we will be applying to set aside the three charges under AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Act),” the lawyer said, adding that the striking-out bid would be per the Criminal Procedure Code.

Hisyam informed the lower court that they would also be filing an application for a variation of Muhyiddin’s bail conditions for the return of his passport.

Azura then fixed Nov 29 for further mention of the case.

The charges

The four abuse of power charges, framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, accused Muhyiddin of using his position as then prime minister and Bersatu president for an inducement of RM232.5 million from three companies and an individual, between March 1, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021.

The three companies are Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, while the individual in question is Azman Yusoff.

The three money laundering charges were laid out under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 read with Section 87(1) of the same Act.

The 76-year-old is accused of receiving over RM120 million in proceeds from illegal activity from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8, 2022.

The money laundering was allegedly committed by receiving money banked into Bersatu’s account.

The Bersatu president faces 20 years in jail and a fine five times the amount of gratification involved or RM10,000, whichever is higher for the abuse of power charges.

For the money laundering case, he may be sentenced to imprisonment of 15 years and fined five times the amount involved or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

Under the law, money laundering is the process of converting cash, funds, or property obtained from criminal activities in order to give it a legitimate appearance. It is the act of cleaning “dirty” money in order to disguise its criminal origin.

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