Muhyiddin acquitted of 4 Jana Wibawa-linked charges after DPP applies for DNAA

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been discharged and acquitted of three money laundering charges and one abuse of power charge involving RM200 million linked to the Jana Wibawa project.

High Court judge Noor Ruwena Nurdin ordered the full acquittal today after Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib applied for Muhyiddin to be discharged not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).

“Accordingly, the court discharges and acquits the accused of the four charges,” she was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Akram reportedly told the court that the prosecution did not intend to proceed with the four charges according to Section 254(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. 

Muhyiddin, 79, was accused of using his positions as prime minister and Bersatu president between March 1, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021, to obtain RM200 million in gratification for the party from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd.

The former premier still faces three charges of using his position to obtain RM25.3 million in bribes for the party from three companies - Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd - in connection with Jana Wibawa.

Speaking to reporters at the court complex after the decision today, Muhyiddin said he hopes the remaining charges against him will also be dropped, affirming that he has always maintained his innocence.

“I would like to thank God for this. I am relieved. As I have always said, I did not do anything wrong. I hope the other charges will be dropped too,” Free Malaysia Today quoted him as saying.

Prosecution wraps up case

The prosecution today also wrapped up its case after presenting testimony from 29 witnesses, with deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informing the judge of the matter after the final witness, MACC investigating officer Mazery Zaini, completed giving evidence.

Wan Shaharuddin also informed the court that the prosecution is offering six witnesses to the defence should Muhyiddin be called to enter his defence.

The six witnesses are Muhyiddin’s former aides Marzuki Mohamad and Asmar Asmadi Abdullah Sani, former Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad, former Treasury secretary-general Asri Hamidon, as well as two individuals known as Ayob Ali and Shahmeizy Sulong.

The court then fixed Nov 25 for the prosecution and defence to file their respective written submissions, with oral submissions for the prosecution to be heard on Nov 26, continued by the defence’s oral submissions from Dec 1 to 3.

Muhyiddin was first charged on March 10, 2023, at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with four abuse-of-power charges and two money-laundering charges.

He received a seventh charge - another money-laundering count involving RM5 million from Bukhary Equity - at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on March 13, 2023.

Muhyiddin’s trial on all seven charges began before Ruwena on March 9.

The trial followed the Court of Appeal’s February 2024 decision to reinstate four abuse of power charges that the High Court had struck out in August 2023.

Jana Wibawa trial: Muhyiddin's lawyer accuses MACC witness of 'intimidation' over police report

RM25.3m payment for Jana Wibawa projects, not political donations to Bersatu: Witness

When three ex-PMs walk into KL court complex on same day

No intention to deceive MOF, govt to secure Jana Wibawa project - witness