Malaysia’s ex-prime minister charged with corruption
On Friday, former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was charged with corruption and money laundering in connection with the alleged misuse of a COVID economic recovery fund.
Muhyiddin served as prime minister for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, during the height of Malaysia’s battle against the coronavirus. He now leads an opposition coalition against Anwar Ibrahim’s government.
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He is the second former Malaysian prime minister to be charged with corruption, following former leader Najib Razak, who is currently serving a 12-year sentence for his role in a financial scandal involving the state investment fund 1MDB.
Muhyiddin, 75, was charged with four counts of using his position to obtain bribes totaling $51.4 million for his political party Bersatu.
Companies that were favoured for Covid fund-financed projects are allegedly the source of the bribes.
Each offense is punishable by up to twenty years in prison if convicted.
Muhyiddin was also charged with two counts of money laundering involving 195 million ringgit deposited into Bersatu’s account, according to the charge sheets.
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Each of these charges carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence.
On Monday, prosecutors are expected to charge him with a third instance of money laundering.
Muhyiddin pled not guilty to all charges and requested a trial on Friday in Sessions Court.
He was released on bail but must hand over his passport.
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