KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin stated at the High Court that the four charges filed against former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin are not discriminatory. The charges accuse Muhyiddin of misusing his position to obtain bribes worth RM232.5mil for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. Wan Shaharuddin argued that the charges met all the necessary legal requirements, including providing details about the accused, the time, place, and manner of the offenses. He further emphasized that Muhyiddin’s rights under the Federal Constitution have not been violated, as the trial has not yet begun.
The prosecution’s stand was supported by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib, who stated that the respondent was not obligated to specify the manner of abuse of power committed by Muhyiddin in the charges. Ahmad Akram claimed that Muhyiddin’s application to strike out the charges was an abuse of the court process and emphasized that the court cannot use its power to quash the charges. He argued that the charges clearly state the elements of the offense under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Muhyiddin, as the prime minister at the time, allegedly used his position to obtain bribes from three companies, amounting to RM232.5mil.
Muhyiddin’s counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, countered the prosecution’s argument, claiming that all four charges of abusing his position were defective in nature. Hisyam argued that the charges failed to provide specific details on how Muhyiddin committed the offenses. He further claimed that the prosecution’s actions lacked fairness and violated the concept of a fair process.
Judge Muhammad Jamil set Aug 15 as the date to decide on Muhyiddin’s application. The former prime minister is facing charges of using his position to obtain bribes totaling RM232.5mil from three companies and an individual, as well as charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities. The cases are alleged to have occurred at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya between March 2020 and August 2021.
The hearing will also include two charges of receiving RM195mil from Bukhary Equity, which were deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account. Muhyiddin, who is the Perikatan Nasional chairman and Member of Parliament for Pagoh, will be tried alongside the other cases in the Sessions Court.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
