Muhyiddin still faces charges, don't release passport: DPP

Prosecutors contended that the criminal court should hold on to Muhyiddin Yassin’s passport as the former prime minister still faces three money laundering charges.

Deputy public prosecutor Lim Wai Keong said this in an affidavit to object against Muhyiddin’s (above) bid for permanent release of his passport.

Lim pointed out that the Kuala Lumpur High Court only allowed the accused’s bid to nullify four abuse of power charges (predicate charges).

“The applicant (Muhyiddin) contended that the Amla (Anti-Money Laundering Act) charges are baseless as the predicate charges have been nullified.

“I emphasise that this statement is irresponsible and premature as the Amla charges have yet to be tried, and the applicant’s bid to nullify the Amla charges has yet to be heard and decided yet,” Lim said.

Back in October, Muhyiddin filed a request to amend the conditions of his RM2 million bail and to allow a permanent release of his passport for a family holiday in London.

In his affidavit, Lim contended that the bail conditions should not be varied in order to ensure Muhyiddin’s attendance in court for the three Amla charges pending before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

The prosecutor said the money laundering charges can stand on their own without the four power abuse charges.

‘Flight risk exists’

He claimed there was a possibility of flight risk on the part of Muhyiddin, and that this was the reason the criminal court previously imposed the RM2 million bail and its attendance conditions, including surrendering of the passport.

“I stress that the applicant still faces three Amla charges before this court, thus a flight risk by the applicant still exists. Thus, the bail conditions should not be amended at this stage to ensure the applicant’s court attendance,” Lim said.

The prosecutor added that Muhyiddin can always apply for temporary release of his passport for overseas travel if the need arises.

In March, 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 the Jana Wibawa programme.

The Pagoh MP then filed a bid to nullify the four power abuse charges, leading to the Kuala Lumpur High Court deciding on a discharge amounting to an acquittal (DAA) over said charges on Aug 15.

Later on Oct 4, he filed for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) from the remaining three money laundering charges.

The prosecution has since filed to reverse the acquittal, which would be heard by the Court of Appeal on Feb 28 next year.

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