KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has withdrawn his application for his graft case involving seven charges of power abuse and money laundering totalling RM427.5mil to be transferred to the High Court.
His lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik informed the court of the matter during case management before Justice K Muniandy on Monday (July 10).
Muhyiddin was exempted from attending the proceedings.
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According to Hisyam, the withdrawal application was communicated to the court through a letter dated July 5.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin did not object.
The court then allowed the application and subsequently struck out Muhyiddin's application to transfer his case from the Sessions Court to the High Court.
According to the July 5 letter seeking to withdraw the transfer application, there were strong grounds for the defence to request the transfer.
However, at the same time, the defence said Muhyiddin has another application to strike out the predicate offences he is facing at the High Court, which is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday (July 11).
The defence said the transfer application would become academic should Muhyiddin succeed in striking out the charges.
On March 10, Muhyiddin claimed trial at the Sessions Court to four counts of power abuse involving a total of RM232.5mil in gratification.
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According to the first to fourth charges, Muhyiddin, who was a public servant and prime minister then and the Bersatu president, had abused his position for gratification from three entities and an individual for his ally, Bersatu.
He allegedly abused his position for gratification of RM200mil from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd; RM1mil from Nepturis Sdn Bhd; RM19.5mil from Mamfor Sdn Bhd; and RM12mil from one Azman Yusoff.
All offences were allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Office, Putrajaya, between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.
The charges are framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
If convicted, Muhyiddin faces imprisonment of up to 20 years, and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
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Muhyiddin, who was the eighth prime minister, also claimed trial to two counts of money laundering involving RM195mil.
For these charges, he is accused of receiving proceeds from illegal activities – RM120mil and RM75mil – from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, which was deposited into Bersatu's account.
The offences were allegedly committed at CIMB Bank, Jalan Stesen Sentral between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8 last year.
The Pagoh MP was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Illegal Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.
He faces imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
