28-2-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) The Malaysian Court of Appeal has reinstated charges of abuse of power against opposition leader and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, according to state news agency Bernama. The charges had previously been dismissed by a Kuala Lumpur high court in August, which resulted in Muhyiddin’s acquittal. The high court had ruled that the charges lacked sufficient details regarding his alleged offenses. Muhyiddin, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, had maintained his innocence and claimed that the charges were politically motivated.
However, a three-member bench of the Court of Appeal unanimously decided that the case against Muhyiddin should be referred back to a sessions court for further action. The court determined that the charges were clear and explicit, thus negating the requirement for additional particulars regarding the alleged offenses.
At the time of reporting, there has been no immediate response from Muhyiddin’s office regarding the court’s decision.
The former prime minister and his political party have been under investigation for corruption since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition assumed power in November 2022.
In addition to the abuse of power charges, Muhyiddin, who leads Malaysia’s conservative and Malay-centric opposition bloc, is also facing accusations of money laundering. He has been alleged to have received bribes amounting to RM232.5 million (US$48.77 million), charges that he vehemently denies.
Muhyiddin has consistently accused Anwar of orchestrating a political vendetta against him, a claim that the current prime minister has firmly rejected.
