Muhyiddin gets passport to attend granddaughter's UK graduation

Muhyiddin gets passport to attend granddaughter's UK graduation

Published: Jul 3, 2024 2:54 PM


Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has obtained criminal court leave for the temporary release of his passport so he can attend the graduation of his granddaughter in the United Kingdom.

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court this morning greenlighted the temporary passport release following no objections raised by deputy public prosecutor Zander Lim.

Muhyiddin’s counsel K Kumaraendran confirmed judge Azura Alwi’s ruling to allow the Pagoh MP and his wife to fly to London on the night of July 19 and return to Kuala Lumpur on Aug 16.

Muhyiddin’s passport was previously surrendered to the court as part of bail conditions for his ongoing criminal case linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

According to a copy of his affidavit, Muhyiddin said that he and his wife wished to attend the graduation of their eldest granddaughter Suraya Fakhri Yassin, who obtained first class in Bachelor of Arts Honours (Business Management) from the University of Westminster, London.

He said the graduation ceremony at 10.30am at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, on July 23, is a happy occasion for him and his wife.

“The graduation ceremony is an important event for Suraya and her family. I wish to attend Suraya’s graduation ceremony as it is a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony and I wish to witness it and acknowledge Suraya’s success.

“Suraya also expressed her wish for my wife and I to attend her graduation ceremony to witness her achievement,” the former premier said.

He reiterated that he is not a flight risk, still wishes to clear his name in court, and has been the people’s representative as a former assemblyperson and MP for more than 50 years.

“My family and assets are in Malaysia so it is impossible for me to leave them or flee from Malaysia.

“I have never failed to attend court when my attendance was required. Before this, I had also given full cooperation to MACC during their investigation against me,” he said.

Muhyiddin also pointed out that previously the criminal court on three occasions allowed temporary release of his passport, with his lawyer returning the travel document to the court each time.

His review application to reinstate his acquittal over four counts of abuse of power is set for hearing before the Court of Appeal on the morning of July 9.

Seven charges

In March last year, before the Sessions Court, Muhyiddin claimed trial to four counts of abuse of power and three money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million linked to Jana Wibawa.

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.

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.