Malaysia’s ex-PM Muhyiddin acquitted of 4 charges in US$49 million corruption case

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu is requesting that authorities reassess and lift the freeze on its bank accounts after the High Court acquitted party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of four charges, including RM200 million worth of alleged misconduct. Information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz questioned the legal and factual grounds for continuing to restrict Bersatu's accounts, particularly those tied to funds mentioned in three Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla) charges.

The court's recent discharge and acquittal of Muhyiddin raised the question: what evidence and rationale remains to maintain the restrictions on Bersatu's accounts involving the same funds? Bersatu welcomed the decision, which acquitted Muhyiddin of abuse of power and three Amla charges. The prosecution had initially sought a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), but the defense argued that the prosecution lacked sufficient evidence to justify continuing the charges.

Judge Datuk Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin granted Muhyiddin a discharge based on her discretion under Section 254(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The judge's decision was made prior to the prosecution reaching the prima facie stage and before the accused was ordered to enter his defense. Tun Faisal urged authorities to promptly review the basis for freezing and seizing Bersatu's accounts, emphasizing that if there is no longer a legal justification to maintain the freeze, the party's accounts must be released without further delay.