KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- After calling 29 witnesses, the prosecution today closed its case in the trial of former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is facing three charges of using his position to obtain RM25.3 million in gratification in connection with projects under the Jana Wibawa programme.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informed High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin of the matter after the prosecution’s final witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Mazery Mohd Zaini, completed his testimony.
“The prosecution closes its case as there are no more witnesses to be called to testify, and six prosecution witnesses are being offered to the defence,” he said.
Among the six witnesses are Muhyiddin’s former principal private secretary, Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad, and businessman Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad.
The judge then set Nov 25 or earlier for the prosecution and defence to file their written submissions, with oral submissions by the prosecution scheduled for Nov 26, followed by the defence’s oral submissions from Dec 1 to 3.
In today’s proceedings, Muhyiddin was represented by lawyers Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, Rosli Dahlan and Chetan Jethwani.
The trial began on March 9, with prosecution witnesses including former Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd director Datuk Seri Azman Yusoff, Nepturis Sdn Bhd founder Lian Tan Chuan and Mamfor Sdn Bhd managing director Shahradzi Shamsuddin taking the stand.
Muhyiddin, 79, is facing three charges of using his position to obtain RM25.3 million in gratification for Bersatu from three companies - Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd - as well as Azman Yusoff, in connection with the Jana Wibawa projects.
He is alleged to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s Office, Perdana Putra Building in Putrajaya, between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021, under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Earlier, the court acquitted and discharged Muhyiddin of one charge of using his position to obtain RM200 million in gratification and three money laundering charges involving the same amount after the prosecution informed the court that it would not proceed with the charges against the Pagoh MP involving Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd.
Met by reporters after the proceedings, Muhyiddin said he was grateful after being acquitted and discharged by the court of the four charges.
“I am relieved by the decision as I have maintained from the beginning that I was not guilty of the charges I have faced since March 2023.
“I thank my lawyers who have defended me. Alhamdulillah, the decision is one that I very much welcome,” he said, expressing hope that he would also be acquitted of the remaining three charges.
-- BERNAMA