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THE High Court today approved Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s request to transfer seven charges of abuse of power and receiving proceeds from unlawful activities from the Sessions Court to the High Court, citing the exceptional complexity of legal questions involved.
Justice Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin granted the application following submissions from Muhyiddin’s counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, and deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin.
“I have considered the arguments from both parties and find that the applicant has met the threshold under Section 417(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code for the case to be transferred to the High Court. The three questions of law arising from the charges are of exceptional complexity,” the judge stated.
“While I have full confidence in the Sessions Court judge’s legal competence and ability to conduct the trial, it is more appropriate for the High Court to determine these legal issues.”
The court fixed 14 July for case management.
Hisyam outlined three principal legal issues: whether the Sessions Court judge may invoke multiple statutory presumptions under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act; whether the monies allegedly received by Bersatu amount to unlawful gratification or legitimate political donations; and whether the term “organisation” within the MACC Act can be construed to include political parties such as Bersatu.
Representing the prosecution, Wan Shaharuddin acknowledged the competence of the Sessions Court judge but emphasised that Muhyiddin’s former status as Prime Minister does not entitle him to select the court for trial. He also confirmed the prosecution intends to appeal the High Court’s decision.
Muhyiddin, 78, who was Prime Minister and president of Bersatu, faces four charges of soliciting RM232.5 million in bribes linked to the Jana Wibawa project, and three charges of receiving RM200 million in unlawful proceeds deposited into Bersatu’s bank accounts.
The alleged offences occurred between March 2020 and July 2022 at locations including the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya and various banking institutions. - June 16, 2025
