Former premier Muhyiddin Yassin has claimed trial for four counts of abuse of power and two money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million.
The Perikatan Nasional chairperson, clad in a black suit, was charged during proceedings before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi this morning.
The four abuse of power charges, framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, accused Muhyiddin of using his position as then premier and Bersatu president to obtain RM232.5 million from three companies and an individual, between March 1, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021.
The three companies are Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, while the individual in question is Azman Yusoff.
The two money laundering charges were 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.
The 76-year-old is accused of receiving RM120 million of proceeds from illegal activity from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8, 2022.
The money laundering was allegedly committed by receiving money banked into Bersatu’s account.
According to Companies Commission records, billionaire Syed Mokhtar Shah Syed Nor and his wife Sharifah Zarah Syed Kechik own Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, with the former having a 99 percent stake. They are both listed as company directors.
The firm is described as an investment holding company. In the financial year 2021, it generated RM2.7 million in revenue and suffered RM72.1 million in losses. The company had RM363.2 million in assets and RM426.4 million in liabilities.
The Pagoh MP faces 20 years in jail and a fine five times the amount of gratification involved or RM10,000 whichever is higher for the abuse of power charges.
For the money laundering case, he may be sentenced to imprisonment of 15 years and fined five times the amount involved or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
RM2m bail
During the proceedings, Solicitor-General Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh applied for bail to be set at RM2 million with two local sureties and for the accused’s passport to be surrendered to the court as part of bail conditions.
Muhyiddin’s counsel K Kumaraendran informed the court the defence team is agreeable with the proposed bail and its terms.
Azura then granted bail at RM2 million with two local sureties and ordered the accused’s passport be surrendered to the court.
The judge also set May 26 for mention.
At the end of the proceedings, Terrirudin informed that Muhyiddin is expected to face another charge at the Shah Alam Courts Complex.
However, the nature of the charges was not revealed.
Muhyiddin’s charges today came after he was summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday.
Terrirudin led a 10-person prosecution team comprising deputy public prosecutors Faridz Gohim Abdullah, Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Ahmad Akram Gharib, Noralis Mat, Nor Asma Ahmad, Rasyidah Murni Azmi, Muhammad Asraf Mohamed Tahir, Kalai Vani Annadorai, and Maziah Mohaide.
Besides Kumaraendran, the eight-person defence team included Rosli Dahlan, Takiyuddin Hassan, Chetan Jethwani, Dev Kumaraendran, Mohamad Isa Mohamad Basir, Teh See Khoon, and Varsha Chelvi.
During proceedings, Muhyiddin's wife Noorainee Abdul Rahman and their children were seen seated in the public gallery.- Mkini
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