KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia’s High Court acquitted and discharged Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin of four counts of abuse of power involving RM232.5 million (US$50.2 million), here Tuesday.
Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin ruled that the four charges were vague, flawed and unfounded because they did not specify the details of the offences committed.
“Therefore, the court allowed the applicant’s (Muhyiddin) application to strike out all four charges. With this, the applicant is acquitted and discharged,” he said.
Muhyiddin was charged with using his position as the then Prime Minister and Bersatu party president to obtain bribes from three companies for the party.
He was charged with committing the offences at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Federal Government Administration Centre in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021.
On April 18, Muhyiddin, 76, filed an application to quash the four charges under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act that were brought against him on March 10.
In his brief judgement, Judge Muhammad Jamil said the court has the power to set aside or cancel the charges and suspend the charges permanently.
“The court found that Muhyiddin was accused of an offence that was not provided for under the law. The four charges were flawed because they did not disclose any offence under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act, which is an injustice.
“The four charges also did not contain the details of how the offences were committed, as provided under Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he said.
— NNN-BERNAMA