KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been granted temporary release of his passport so that he can seek medical advice on pancreatic cancer and visit his grandchildren in the United Kingdom.
In her ruling, Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi said Muhyiddin had the right to access the best medical treatment and there was no evidence that he would abscond.
She allowed Muhyiddin, 77, who is Perikatan Nasional chairman and Pagoh member of parliament, access to his passport from today until Jan 14.
Earlier during submissions, lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said Muhyiddin needed to meet Professor Brian Davidson, a surgeon in liver, biliary tract, pancreas and cancer management.
"My client has made an appointment. They are scheduled to meet next Wednesday at the Platinum Medical Centre in London.
"He did a Positron Emission Tomography scan to monitor the state of his pancreatic cancer.
"There was a tumour marker reading of CA 19-9, indicating a slight increase above the normal level."
Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Jumaat objected to Muhyiddin's application to seek a second opinion on his condition.
"In Malaysia, we have qualified medical specialists, consultants and up to date facilities.
"His reason to visit his family in the United Kingdom is not pressing, but personal."
The court set Jan 16 for the decision on the prosecution's application for Muhyiddin's four charges of abuse of power and three charges of accepting money from illegal proceeds to be tried together.