Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin today claimed trial to one count of money laundering involving RM5 million linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
The Perikatan Nasional chairperson, clad in a black suit, was charged this morning in the proceedings before Shah Alam Sessions Court judge Rozilah Salleh.
The money laundering charge laid out under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, read with Section 87(1) of the same act, accused the 76-year-old of receiving RM5 million in proceeds from the illegal activities from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, and into Bersatu's account ending with “041” - on Jan 7, 2022.
He was accused of committing the offence, in his capacity as Bersatu president, at an AmBank branch at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya.
The Pagoh MP may be jailed for up to 15 years and fined five times the amount involved or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
On Friday last week before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Muhyiddin pleaded not guilty to four counts of abuse of power and two counts of money laundering involving RM232.5 million linked to the same programme.
Seeking transfer to KL court
During open-court proceedings before Rozilah today, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib applied for the case to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
The DPP said this was because the present money laundering charge is related to the six charges filed at the Kuala Lumpur lower court.
The prosecutor also applied for the same bail amount of RM2 million with two sureties, previously imposed by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, to apply in the present case as well.
Defence counsel K Kumaraendran then informed the judge they have no objections to the transfer and for the present case to utilise the RM2 million bail at the other court.
Following the transfer, the matter would come up for mention with the other six criminal charges before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on May 26.
At the time, Muhyiddin looked composed as he and his counsel left court after the proceedings ended.
Muhyiddin’s charges came after he was summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Thursday last week.
Besides Akram, the other members of the prosecution team are DPPs Zander Lim Wai Keong, Kalai Vani Annadorai and Maziah Mohaide.
Muhyiddin's legal team is also comprised of lawyers Chetan Jethwani, Dev Kumaraendran, Amiratu Al-Amirat Saleh, Mohd Isa Mohamad Basir, Shahir Ab Razak, Teh See Khoon, Varsha Chelvi, and Raja Syuhada Raja Khairuddin.
Security beefed up
Earlier today, the Shah Alam Court Complex tightened its security checks this morning in anticipation of Muhyiddin’s case.
A small group of supporters gathered outside the complex to show their support for him as he arrived at 8:20am.
Over 20 supporters arrived at around 8:30am, with some wearing navy blue PN shirts and others sporting white shirts with Muhyiddin's photo and the slogan "Kita Bersama Abah” (We are with Abah).
Mohd Khairi Zakaria, a 49-year-old Bersatu member, was among the supporters who travelled a long distance to attend the hearing.
He took a bus from Baling, Kedah to Kuala Lumpur last night and arrived at around 1am. He then took a Grab ride from Jalan Duta to the court complex and slept in a nearby surau.
"I came to support Muhyiddin because I believe he is innocent, obviously he is being slandered," said Zakaria, who funded the trip himself and plans to return home later today.
Muhyiddin pleads not guilty
After 20 minutes, Muhyiddin emerged from the courtroom and informed the media that the case would be transferred to Kuala Lumpur court where he is facing the other six charges.
“I have been read the seventh charge and I have pleaded not guilty and asked for a trial.
“The court has agreed to transfer this case to KL and the date of the trial would be announced,” said Muhyiddin in a brief press conference without taking any questions.
Other PN leaders present were Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, and Gerakan president Dominic Lau.
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