Muhyiddin files latest bid to quash power abuse case
Notice of motion seeks to overturn Appeals Court reinstatement of charges involving RM230m
Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has filed an application seeking leave from the Appeals Court to review the decision made by its previous panel reinstating four abuse of power charges against him involving RM232.5 million.
On Feb 28, the three-member Appeals Court panel chaired by Justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail reinstated the four charges previously struck out by the High Court.
Based on the notice of motion obtained in the media, Muhyiddin filed the application yesterday through Chetan Jethwani and Company.
Lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik confirmed the filing of the leave application when contacted, Bernama reported.
He said the defence would withdraw the appeal filed in the Federal Court earlier.
On March 1, Muhyiddin filed an appeal in the Federal Court against the appellate court restoration of the four charges.
Muhyiddin is requesting the court sets aside the previous order of the Appeals Court and restore the decision of the High Court on Aug 15, 2023.
He said the decision of the Appeals Court was null or illegal as it was made without the jurisdiction required under Section 50(1) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin, 76, was charged with using his position as prime minister at the time to obtain bribes for the party amounting to RM232.5 million from one Datuk Azman Yusoff and three companies, namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd.
He is accused of committing the act at the prime minister’s office in Bangunan Perdana Putra, Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.
Muhyiddin also faces two charges of receiving money from illegal activities amounting to RM195 million from Bukhary Equity, which was deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB account.
He allegedly committed the offence at CIMB Bank Menara KL Sentral Branch in Jalan Stesen Sentral between Feb 25 and July 16, 2021 and between Feb 8 and July 8, 2022.