Muhyiddin's case transferred to High Court
Court date: Muhyiddin at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has allowed an application by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to transfer his case on power abuse and money laundering from the Sessions Court to the High Court.
Justice Muhammad Jamil Hussin made the decision after hearing submissions from parties in the case yesterday.
'I have deliberated on the submissions. The applicant has fulfilled the threshold for his case to be transferred and tried at the High Court under Section 417(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
'The three legal questions (raised from the charges) are questions of law that are extraordinarily difficult,' he said.
Justice Muhammad Jamil said while he has full confidence that the Sessions Court judge has the expertise and knowledge to preside over the case, he felt it was 'more expedient' for the legal questions to be determined by the High Court.
'I hereby allow the application,' the judge said.
The court fixed July 14 for case management at the High Court.
In the application filed on April 4, Muhyiddin said there were complex legal issues and questions of unusual difficulty that were expected to arise, particularly regarding the constitutionality of several provisions in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act.
According to the Bersatu president, the case in question was of public interest that had attracted the attention of the general public and received extensive media coverage at home and abroad, and it would not cause any prejudice to the prosecution if the application was allowed.
On April 27, 2023, Muhyiddin filed an application to transfer the case from the Sessions Court to the High Court, but on July 10 of the same year, he withdrew the application.
He made a second application to transfer the case in May this year.
Muhyiddin, 77, as the Prime Minister (at the time) and Bersatu president, was charged with four counts of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM232.5mil in connection with the Jana Wibawa Project from three companies, namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, as well as Datuk Azman Yusoff, for the party.
He was charged with committing the offence at the Prime Minister's Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.
Muhyiddin also faces three charges of receiving proceeds from illegal activities totalling RM200mil from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, which were deposited into Bersatu's Ambank and CIMB Bank accounts.
The offence was allegedly committed at separate locations at AmBank, Amcorp Mall branch, Petaling Jaya on Jan 7, 2022 and CIMB Bank, Menara KL branch, Jalan Stesen Sentral, here between Feb 25 and July 16, 2021 and Feb 8 and July 8, 2022.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian Bar: Domestic workers still unprotected under labour laws
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar has asked the government to provide full legal recognition and protection to domestic workers under national labour laws. Its president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said despite their vital contributions to households and the economy, domestic workers in Malaysia, most of whom are women, continue to face systemic vulnerabilities. "In conjunction with the observance of International Domestic Workers' Day, the Malaysian Bar calls for the full legal recognition and protection of domestic workers under Malaysian labour laws, ensuring that they enjoy equal rights and protections as all other categories of workers. "We also urge stronger enforcement of existing laws and the establishment of effective mechanisms to prevent exploitation and abuse of domestic workers," he said in a statement today. He said domestic workers remain excluded from key protections given to other categories of workers, leaving many unprotected and unable to seek redress when their rights are violated. International Domestic Workers' Day, observed annually on June 16, marks the adoption of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers in 2011. He told the government to ratify and implement the ILO convention no. 189 and recommendation no. 201 as a vital step toward safeguarding the rights and dignity of domestic workers. "The government must also enact a dedicated law recognising the unique nature of domestic work. "Standardised contracts and specific regulations can be introduced by the Human Resources Minister without requiring parliamentary approval," he said. He also called for better enforcement of existing laws, improved access to justice, and public awareness campaigns to combat discrimination and affirm the dignity of domestic work. The Bar further proposed allowing foreign domestic workers to change employers or sectors without unnecessary restrictions and regulating part-time arrangements to prevent misuse. "Currently, many domestic workers are sent to multiple households without adequate protection. This must be addressed through clear, enforceable rules," he added. Ezri said the Malaysian Bar remains committed to advocating for the rights of all workers, especially those whose contributions often remain invisible. "Let us work towards a future where all domestic workers are respected, protected, and empowered," he added.
The Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Sun
Anwar praises EPF's efforts in enhancing retirement adequacy
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has commended the Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) efforts in exploring new approaches to enhance Malaysian retirement adequacy. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said he believes the involvement of the EPF and other government-linked investment companies (GLICs) signals a strong public-private partnership that will also enhance healthcare infrastructure, accessibility and quality, creating a system that can support all Malaysians. 'We have to recognise and acknowledge that EPF has done remarkably well and they are continuing to explore new approaches to enhance retirement adequacy,' he said during his opening address at the International Social Wellbeing Conference (ISWC) 2025 today. Anwar also highlighted that as people live longer, the focus must shift from lump-sum savings to sustainable retirement income. 'We must also begin thinking about how to build a system that reflects greater solidarity, particularly for those with limited lifetime earnings. In our government's vision, no Malaysian should grow old in fear of poverty, fear of abandonment or fear of irrelevance,' he added. The prime minister also highlighted that countries around the world are rethinking their labour and retirement policies in response to longer, healthier lifespans and evolving work preferences. 'Many nations have begun adjusting retirement ages, balancing fiscal sustainability with individual desires for continued engagement - these reforms are accompanied by increased workplace flexibility and efforts to foster age-inclusive environments,' he noted. According to Anwar, the country's economy is being reshaped by microentrepreneurs, gig workers and the self-employed, coming at a time when the labour market is undergoing structural shifts. He stressed that under the MADANI Economy, the government is committed to investing in digitalisation, inclusive innovation and small and medium enterprise (SME) growth. 'Through programmes such as the SME Digitalisation Grant, the National Industry ESG Framework, and targeted support through Tekun and BSN, we are laying the groundwork for an inclusive, innovation-driven economy,' he added. Also present were Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, EPF chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The two-day ISWC 2025, themed 'Living to a Hundred: Are We Prepared?', brings together more than 2,000 participants, 25 strategic partners and 24 distinguished speakers from across the globe.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Football coach claims trial to sexual assault charges
KOTA TINGGI: A football coach pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to four counts of physical sexual assault against two of his trainees, who are students of a secondary school here. Meor Azizi Zolkfle, 33, made the plea when the charges were read out before Judge Hayda Farizal Abu Hasan. The accused, as a person in a position of trust, namely, a coach to a 13-year-and-five-month-old trainee, was charged with two counts of committing physical sexual assault on the teenager. The offences were allegedly committed at the Bandar Penawar Stadium at 9.20 pm on May 2. In a separate charge, the accused was alleged to have committed physical sexual assault on another trainee, aged 13 years and seven months, at a sports centre shop in Felda Sening at 8 pm on Nov 14. He also faces a charge of committing the same offence against the same victim at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Adela field here at 7.50 pm on May 2. The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, read together with Section 16(1) of the same Act. Section 14(a) carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and whipping, while Section 16(1) provides for an additional jail term of up to five years and not less than two strokes of the cane. Deputy Public Prosecutor Foo Fang Leong appeared for the prosecution. The judge allowed the accused, who is a father of two, bail of RM20,000 for all charges. The court fixed July 17 for mention to allow for the submission of documents and the appointment of a lawyer.
