Defence challenges use of TikTok clips against Muhyiddin

 The former prime minister's counsel argues that the allegedly doctored clips are inadmissible as evidence.

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s counsel suggested that the video clips were downloaded two years after his client was charged in 2023 and were used in bad faith. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

 The High Court heard today that investigators relied on two TikTok clips purportedly showing former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin speaking about the corruption charges against him.

On the first day of the trial, the prosecution showed the court the clips that two TikTok users allegedly uploaded. Each 17-second clip allegedly shows Muhyiddin addressing a crowd and denying allegations of abuse of power and money laundering.

The first witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission  assistant enforcement officer Syawaludin Said, 37, confirmed during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Wan Nur Iman Wan Ahmad Afzal that he downloaded the clips from TikTok and transcribed the speech on the instructions of his superior.

However, Muhyiddin’s counsel, Amer Hamzah Arshad, suggested that the clips, which he described as edited and doctored, were downloaded two years after his client was charged in 2023 and used in bad faith.

During cross-examination, Syawaludin agreed with Amer that the clips had not been sent to the forensic department for verification.

He also confirmed that MACC did not call the TikTok users or Muhyiddin to verify the content of the clips.

The witness further agreed with the defence that the clips had been edited and included captions and images.

Amer: All of these clips have been edited and doctored?

Syawaludin: Agree.

Amer: Did you inform the investigating officer that the clips had been doctored?

Syawaludin: I did.

Amer: But the investigating officer still asked you to download them?

Syawaludin: Yes.

Amer also referred to a Malaysiakini report in February last year in which MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said edited video clips allegedly showing Sabah assemblymen discussing bribes were inadmissible in court due to concerns over their credibility.

Amer: The clips Azam referred to were sent for forensic analysis, but in this case, as you yourself admitted, the TikTok clips were not sent for forensic analysis?

Syawaludin: Agree.

Muhyiddin, 78, faces seven charges linked to his administration’s Jana Wibawa programme, a government initiative introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to assist Bumiputera contractors.

The Bersatu president is charged with four counts of abusing his position to allegedly solicit RM225.3 million in bribes for the party from three companies and one individual – Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and Azman Yusoff.

He is alleged to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s Office between March 1, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021.

He also faces three counts of money laundering involving RM200 million, allegedly received from Bukhary Equity and deposited into Bersatu’s accounts at AmBank and CIMB Bank.

The offences are alleged to have been committed at AmBank in Petaling Jaya and CIMB Bank Jalan Stesen Sentral in Kuala Lumpur between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8, 2022.

The defence team also comprises Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Rosli Dahlan, Chetan Jethwani, K Kumaraendran, Kee Wei Loon, Low Wei Loke, Siti Summaiyah Ahmad Jaafar, Lee Yei Wei, Tang Jia Yearn and Joshua Tay.

The prosecution team comprises Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Akram Gharib, Noralis Mat, Mahadi Jumaat, Alis Izzati Azurin Rusdi and Safari Abdullah.

The trial before Justice Noor Ruwena Nurdin continues tomorrow. - FMT