KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has withdrawn his application to transfer four abuse of power and three money laundering charges from the Sessions Court to the High Court.
Muhyiddin's lead counsel, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, said this during a case management before High Court judge K. Muniandy today.
He said the defence had informed the prosecution about their intention (to withdraw) via a letter last Wednesday.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin did not object to the application.
The court then allowed the defence's application.
The defence, in their letter, said they wanted the court to hear their application to strike out four counts of power abuse against the Pagoh member of parliament.
"We suggested to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for the postponement of the transfer application pending the court's decision on the striking out application.
"However, MACC did not agree and insisted that the transfer application be heard first.
"We believe that the transfer application will become academic if the striking out application is granted.
"We hereby withdraw the transfer application," said the letter.
It was reported that the High Court had fixed July 11 to hear Muhyiddin's application to strike out four counts of abuse of power against him.
Muhyiddin, 76, had filed an application at High Court on April 19 seeking an acquittal and discharge of the four counts of abuse of power against him in relation to the Jana Wibawa scandal.
He also filed an application seeking for a stay of proceedings at the Sessions Court until his application is heard before High Court.
Muhyiddin, or his registered name Mahiaddin Md Yasin, is the second prime minister to be charged in court for corruption in the country's history.
Muhyiddin was charged with two counts of receiving RM195 million in funds that are proceeds from unlawful activities between Feb 25 and July 16, 2021 and Feb 8 and July 8 last year.
He was also charged with four counts of using his position as the prime minister and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president to ask for a RM200 million bribe from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd at the Prime Minister's Department Complex, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya, between Feb 8 and 25, 2021.
The four charges were framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a maximum 20 years of jail time, or a fine of five times the value of the money solicited, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
He was released on a RM2 million bail.
Former Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and businessman and Bersatu Segambut division deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad have also been charged with corruption related to the Jana Wibawa programme.