KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has roped in a King's Counsel to bolster his legal team in his final bid to restore his discharge and acquittal in the Jana Wibawa case.
The legal showdown is slated to commence next week before a five-member Court of Appeal panel.
The court will also hear the prosecution's preliminary objections and issues of merit related to the case on the same date.
Muhyiddin's lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik confirmed that Steven Perian KC, the first Malaysian King's Counsel will join 14 other lawyers as part of the former prime minister's legal team.
King's Counsel refers to a title conferred on eminent barristers in Commonwealth jurisdictions, indicating high legal proficiency and often leading to roles in significant cases or advisory positions.
The team will comprise Hisyam, Datuk K. Kumaraendran, Steven Perian, Rosli Dahlan, Amer Hamzah Arshad, Chetan Jethwani, Dev Kumaraendran, Low Wei Loke, Kee Wei Lon, Teh See Khoon, Joshua Tay, Siti Sumaiyyah Ahmad Jaafar, Lee Yee Woei, Tan Jia Yearn, and Nur Fatin Hafiza Hasham.
Steven Perian can appear before Malaysian judges without requiring court permission, as he holds practice licenses in both Malaysia and the United Kingdom (UK).
He returned to Malaysia earlier this year from the UK and joined Messrs Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership.
Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president is appealing the decision made by appellate court judges, Justices Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail, Datuk Azmi Ariffin and Datuk S.M Komathy Suppiah who allowed the prosecution to reinstate charges against him on Feb 28.
The judges also ordered the case to be remitted to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
The charges against Muhyiddin were linked to the Jana Wibawa programme during his tenure.
The prosecution's appeal came after a High Court judge on Aug 15 last year acquitted and released Muhyiddin of the charges, ruling that they were all defective and in bad faith.
Prior to that, Muhyiddin was charged with four counts of using his then prime minister and Bersatu president positions to obtain bribes amounting to RM232.5 million from three companies namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd as well as Datuk Azman Yusoff for the party.
Muhyiddin was accused of committing the offences at the prime minister's office, between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.
He subsequently filed an application to quash the four charges under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.