Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been granted a temporary release of his passport to visit a sick family member in Australia, marking a rare personal respite amid his ongoing legal battles. Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi approved Muhyiddin's application, allowing for the release of his travel document on Wednesday, with a stipulated return date of May 28.
The decision unfolded smoothly, with no objections from the prosecution. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Asma Ahmad conveyed to the court that the grounds for Muhyiddin's application were deemed valid.
Muhyiddin's legal counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, elaborated on the necessity of the visit, citing Muhyiddin's urgent need to be with a close family member aged over 80, currently battling cancer in remission.
The temporary release of Muhyiddin's passport marks a notable departure from his bail conditions in his ongoing criminal case, where his passport remains under the court's custody. Notably, earlier in February, the court had granted a similar temporary return of his passport for a trip to Thailand, specifically Bangkok, to attend a restaurant's grand opening.
Muhyiddin finds himself entangled in legal proceedings, facing charges related to abuse of power and money laundering in connection to the Jana Wibawa program. Despite having corruption charges dismissed and being granted a discharge and acquittal by the High Court last year, the appellate process reinstated the charges following a prosecution appeal.
Amidst these legal maneuvers, Muhyiddin has filed a review application, slated for a hearing on July 9. Meanwhile, Wednesday's court session also addressed the defense's application for a stay to halt the criminal proceedings pending the review at the appellate court. The prosecution, however, opposes the stay application, prompting the court to schedule a hearing for June 13 to deliberate further on the matter.
Is This a Special Treatment to Muhyiddin?
In the legal context, the temporary release of Muhyiddin Yassin's passport for compassionate reasons aligns with established judicial processes. Such permissions are not uncommon and are typically granted based on the merits of the specific circumstances presented before the court.
In Muhyiddin's case, the court deemed the reasons for his travel justified, particularly considering the urgency of visiting a sick family member. It's important to note that similar requests for temporary passport releases can be made by any individual facing legal constraints, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the nature of the situation and the individual's compliance with legal procedures.
Therefore, while Muhyiddin's case may attract attention due to his political stature, the granting of temporary passport release is a legal process rather than a reflection of special treatment.
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