King's Counsel to represent Muhyiddin in power abuse case
Published: Jul 4, 2024 5:48 PM
A King’s Counsel (KC) from the United Kingdom is set to appear for Muhyiddin Yassin during next week’s Court of Appeal hearing of the ex-premier's review to quash his power abuse charges.
Steven Perian, who is the first KC to be admitted to the High Court of Malaya, will beef up the Pagoh MP’s legal team when the review hearing before a five-person bench begins next Tuesday.
A member of Muhyiddin’s legal team confirmed the participation of Perian, who has also become a partner in the law firm RDS Partnership which is acting for the lawmaker.
The Legal 500, a company that researches and evaluates members of the legal sector around the world, lauded Perian for his exceptional legal acumen.
It stated that the KC “has an analytical mind and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.”
The 2023 edition of its ranking further praised him as “an industrious, approachable, and charming silk.”
As KCs wear silk gowns of a particular design, appointment as one is known informally as taking silk and they are often colloquially called silks.
Perian, a distinguished criminal lawyer, has acted for the Crown in prosecuting various economic offences and financial crimes, including conspiracy to defraud the UK’s financial institutions of United States Treasury Bonds worth US$2.3 trillion (RM10.8 trillion), computer-related crimes, and money laundering.
He has also defended clients in diverse fraud matters in the UK, including public sector fraud, advance fee fraud, conspiracy to defraud, and money laundering.
The charges
In March last year, before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Muhyiddin claimed trial to four counts of abuse of power and three money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
Under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, he is accused of using his position as then-prime minister and Bersatu president for an inducement of RM232.5 million from three companies and an individual, between March 1, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021.
Muhyiddin Yassin
The three companies are Bukhary Equity, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, while the individual in question is Azman Yusoff.
The three money laundering charges were laid out under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 - read with Section 87(1) of the same act.
The 77-year-old was accused of abusing his powers for Bersatu to receive RM125 million of proceeds from illegal activity from Bukhary Equity between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8, 2022.
The charges did not allege that payment was made to Muhyiddin but the money was allegedly laundered by receiving money banked into Bersatu’s account.
In August last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court struck out the four power abuse charges against Muhyiddin.
However, in February this year, the Court of Appeal reinstated the charges.
Muhyiddin now is seeking the appellate court to review this earlier ruling, contending that the criminal charges are vague and defective in law.
The Perikatan Nasional chairperson also contended that the case against him was a form of political persecution.
The three companies are Bukhary Equity, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, while the individual in question is Azman Yusoff.
The three money laundering charges were laid out under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 - read with Section 87(1) of the same act.
The 77-year-old was accused of abusing his powers for Bersatu to receive RM125 million of proceeds from illegal activity from Bukhary Equity between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8, 2022.
The charges did not allege that payment was made to Muhyiddin but the money was allegedly laundered by receiving money banked into Bersatu’s account.
In August last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court struck out the four power abuse charges against Muhyiddin.
However, in February this year, the Court of Appeal reinstated the charges.
Muhyiddin now is seeking the appellate court to review this earlier ruling, contending that the criminal charges are vague and defective in law.
The Perikatan Nasional chairperson also contended that the case against him was a form of political persecution.
Why Najib was denied QC representation at the time , but Moo allowed KC ?
ReplyDeleteBloke is a Malaysian, may be a KC but is licensed to practise in Malaysia,
DeleteIf this Muka Bodoh is SMART...Just stay in London and hide like Joh Low.....MalaySIAL Law is Stupid ANYWAY.....Let Crooks Free....ide like your Son in LAW.....Get a HAMAS Passport and CABUT......Call it Exile....This is the HUDAIBIYAH KRAP of Facist SUPREMACIST RELIGION OF DEATH & DESTRUCTION!
ReplyDelete