Former Malaysian PM Muhyiddin charged with corruption
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged with abuse of power and money laundering over projects launched under his premiership.
The charges come just three months after Muhyiddin lost a closely fought and divisive general election to Anwar Ibrahim.
At a Kuala Lumpur sessions court, the prosecution alleged that Muhyiddin abused his position as prime minister to receive bribes of 232.5 million ringgit ($51.44 million) in a bank account belonging to his party, Bersatu.
The former premier and opposition leader was charged with four counts of abuse of power and two counts of money laundering.
Muhyiddin, 75, pleaded not guilty to all six charges and said the accusations were “organised political persecution”.
“Not a single cent of the people’s money went into my own pocket during my tenure as prime minister,” Muhyiddin told reporters after being granted bail.
The former premier faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. He will also be subject to a heavy financial penalty.
The case will be heard next on May 26th. The former leader said he will face an additional charge of abuse of power on Monday.
Muhyuddin, who led the country for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, becomes the second Malaysian leader to be charged with crimes after losing power.
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Muhyiddin and his party have faced graft investigations since losing the national election in November, with the party’s bank accounts frozen by the anti-graft body and two leaders charged with bribery.
The former premier has also been banned from leaving the country.
Prime Minister Anwar, who has long vowed to undertake reforms to improve governance and fight corruption that has long plagued Malaysia, has dismissed accusations that the charges against Muhyiddin are politically motivated. Anwar said he has not interfered in investigations.
Regional elections
The allegations against Muhyiddin come ahead of crucial regional elections to be held in six states by mid-year, with his coalition expected to pose a strong challenge to Anwar’s alliance.
The state polls are seen as the first big test for Anwar, who failed to win a simple majority on his own in the national election last year.
Zainab Sa’id
