Muhyiddin's money laundering case stayed pending appeal

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has allowed the prosecution’s bid to stay the money laundering case against former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Judge Azura Alwi greenlit the stay, pending disposal of prosecutors’ upcoming appeal before the Court of Appeal on Feb 28 to reinstate the abuse of power case against the Pagoh MP.

Azura said the stay is allowed to ensure justice for all parties and prevent disruption to the proceedings of the case.

She also set March 4 for mention to update the lower court on the outcome of the prosecution’s appeal.

After the open-court proceedings, Muhyiddin’s lawyer Chetan Jethwani said the Sessions Court allowed the stay, so the former premier’s bid to set aside the three money laundering charges would not be heard until the Court of Appeal makes a decision on the prosecution’s appeal.

On Aug 15 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court discharged and acquitted Muhyiddin of the four abuse of power charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

The prosecution’s appeal targets this ruling.

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.

Seven charges

The four abuse of power charges, framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, accused him 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, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, while the individual 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 77-year-old is accused of abusing his powers for Bersatu to receive RM125 million of proceeds from illegal activity from Bukhary Equity - between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8, 2022.

The charges did not allege that payment was made to Muhyiddin, hence why his personal bank accounts were never frozen.

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

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