KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has acquitted former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of four charges in his graft trial linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
The acquittal was on a charge of abusing his position for a RM200mil bribe and three counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
Justice Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin made the order of discharge and acquittal after allowing an application by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib.
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The DPP told the court that the prosecution did not intend to proceed with the case in accordance with Section 254(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The provision allows for the public prosecutor to stop prosecution at any time during a trial before the judge delivers a final judgment.
Justice Noor Ruwena said the prosecution did not disclose the reason for withdrawing the case.
"In the interest of justice, the court's discretion must favour the accused.
"The court hereby discharges and acquits the accused on four charges. We continue the trial on the three remaining charges," Justice Noor Ruwena said.
Upon hearing the court's order, the courtroom erupted with cheers from Muhyiddin's supporters.
According to one of the dropped charges, Muhyiddin, as a public servant who was then prime minister and Bersatu president, had used his position for a gratification of RM200mil from Bukhary Equity for his political party.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya between Feb 8 and Feb 25, 2021.
The charge under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 carries a maximum imprisonment of up to 20 years and fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
For the three other charges, Muhyiddin was accused of receiving proceeds from illegal activities, amounting to RM200mil, from Bukhary Equity that was deposited into CIMB and AmBank accounts belonging to Bersatu.
The offences were allegedly committed at the CIMB Bank Menara KL branch and AmBank Amcorp Mall branch on Feb 25 and Feb 22, 2022 and July 8, 2022.
The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds From Illegal Activities 2001 which carries imprisonment up to 15 years and fine of no less five times the amount of illegal proceeds or RM5mil, whichever is higher, if convicted.
Muhyiddin's remaining charges relates to purportedly using his position for a RM25.3mil bribe for Bersatu from Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd and its director Datuk Azman Yusoff.
