KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was acquitted today of four graft-related charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme by the High Court. The charges included one count of abusing his position to obtain a RM200 million bribe and three counts of money laundering involving the same sum.

Justice Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin granted the acquittal after the prosecution, represented by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib, applied to discontinue the case under Section 254(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. This provision permits the public prosecutor to withdraw charges at any stage before a final judgment is handed down by the court.

The prosecution did not specify a reason for the withdrawal, leaving the decision to the court’s discretion. In response, the judge stated that in the interest of justice, the discretion must be exercised in favor of the accused and ordered Muhyiddin’s discharge and acquittal on the four charges. However, the trial continues on three other remaining charges against him.

Witnessing the court’s decision, supporters of Muhyiddin in the public gallery broke into cheers.

The dropped charges stemmed from allegations that Muhyiddin, during his tenure as prime minister and president of the political party Bersatu, had exploited his office to obtain a RM200 million gratification from Bukhary Equity for Bersatu. The accused act was said to have occurred at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya between February 8 and 25, 2021. If convicted, the offence under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of at least five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The three money laundering counts alleged that Muhyiddin received illicit proceeds amounting to RM200 million from Bukhary Equity. These funds were said to have been deposited into Bersatu’s bank accounts at CIMB Bank Menara KL and AmBank Amcorp Mall branches on February 22 and 25 and July 8, 2022. The charges, framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, carry penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment and fines of at least five times the value of the illegal proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

Muhyiddin still faces three remaining charges involving alleged misuse of his position to secure a RM25.3 million bribe for Bersatu from Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd, and KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd, as well as its director Datuk Azman Yusoff. The trial is expected to proceed on these counts.