Muhyiddin seeks review of appeals court ruling that reinstated power abuse charges

PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) has filed an application seeking leave from the Court of Appeal to review its decision reinstating four abuse of power charges involving RM232.5mil against him.

On Feb 28, the court’s three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail reinstated the four charges previously struck out by the High Court.

ALSO READ: Muhyiddin appeals against reinstatement of power abuse charges

Based on the notice of motion obtained by the media, Muhyiddin filed the application on Wednesday (March 27) through law firm Messrs Chetan Jethwani and Company.

Lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, when contacted, confirmed the filing of the leave application.

He said the defence would withdraw the appeal which was filed in the Federal Court earlier.

On March 1, Muhyiddin had filed an appeal in the Federal Court against the appellate court’s restoration of the four charges against him.

ALSO READ: Apex court has no jurisdiction to hear Muhyiddin’s appeal, says DPP

In the notice of motion, Muhyiddin is seeking for the Court of Appeal to set aside its previous order and restore the Aug 15 decision of the High Court that struck out the four charges and acquitted and discharged him.

The Bersatu president said the decision of the Court of Appeal was a nullity or illegality as it was made without the jurisdiction as required under Section 50(1) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964.

Muhyiddin, 76, who is also Perikatan Nasional chairman, was charged with using his position as prime minister at that time to obtain bribes amounting to RM232.5mil from three companies, namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, and one Datuk Azman Yusoff for the party.

He is accused of committing the act at the Prime Minister’s Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.

He also faces two charges of receiving money from illegal activities amounting to RM195mil from Bukhary Equity which was deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account.

He allegedly committed the offence at CIMB Bank Menara KL Branch, Jalan Stesen Sentral between Feb 25 and July 16, 2021 and between Feb 8 and July 8, 2022. – BK