Muhyiddin's 4 power abuse charges linked to Jana Wibawa remain

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin's four abuse of power charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme stay in place.

The Court of Appeal this morning dismissed the Pagoh MP's application for a review of its earlier decision to reinstate the criminal charges.

The Perikatan Nasional chairperson's abuse of power case involving RM232.5 million is linked to the programme for the empowerment of competent Bumiputera contractors.

On Aug 15 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court quashed the four charges for being allegedly defective and not disclosing particulars for Muhyiddin to mount a proper defence.

The appellate court reversed this ruling in February this year. Muhyiddin then sought a review of this verdict.

Today, the five-person appellate bench chaired by judge Azizah Nawawi ruled that its earlier decision was valid.

Speaking on behalf of fellow member judges Mohd Ruzima Ghazali, Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Azman Abdullah, and Azhahari Kamal Ramli, Azizah said the appellate court has jurisdiction to hear the prosecution's appeal against the High Court decision.

"The earlier panel has jurisdiction to hear the matter (prosecution's appeal). This review is dismissed," Azizah said.

In effect, this means the case will go back to the Sessions Court.

Muhyiddin's counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told the media at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya that they will study today's ruling to determine their next course of action.

Claiming trial

In March last year before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Muhyiddin claimed trial for four counts of abuse of power and three additional counts of money laundering.

Under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, he is accused 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 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 77-year-old was 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.

Attorney-General's Chambers' Appellate and Trial Division chief Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar led the prosecution.

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