Money allegedly laundered by being banked into Bersatu’s account.
A King’s Counsel (KC) from the United Kingdom is set to appear for Muhyiddin Yassin during next week’s Court of Review hearing of the ex-premier’s review to quash his four abuse of power charges.
Steven Perian, who is the first KC to be admitted to the High Court of Malaya, will beef up the Pagoh MP’s legal team when the review hearing before a five-person appellate bench begins next Tuesday.
A member of Muhyiddin’s legal team confirmed the participation of Perian, who has also become a partner in the law firm RDS Partnership which is acting for the lawmaker.
The Legal 500 lauded Perian for his exceptional legal acumen, stating, “He has an analytical mind and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.”
The 2023 edition further praised him as “an industrious, approachable, and charming silk.”
In March last year, before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Muhyiddin claimed trial to four counts of abuse of power and three money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million linked to Jana Wibawa.
Under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, he is accused of using his position as then-prime minister and Bersatu president for an inducement of RM232.5 million from three companies and an individual, between March 1, 2020, and Aug 20, 2021.
The three companies are Bukhary Equity, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, while the individual in question is Azman Yusoff.
The three money laundering charges were laid out under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 – read with Section 87(1) of the same act.
The 77-year-old was accused of abusing his powers for Bersatu to receive RM125 million of proceeds from illegal activity from Bukhary Equity between Feb 25, 2021, and July 8, 2022.
The charges did not allege that payment was made to Muhyiddin but the money was allegedly laundered by receiving money banked into Bersatu’s account. – Malaysiakini