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Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was charged on Friday March 10 in the courts of Kuala Lumpur. A total of four counts of corruption and two counts of money laundering. He was arrested on Thursday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. At the head of the country for nearly 17 months, between 2020 and 2021, during the health crisis, Muhyiddin Yassin becomes the second former Prime Minister to be accused of corruption, after Najib Razak, currently in prison.
With our correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Juliette Pietraszewski
Regarding the corruption charges, Muhyiddin Yassin is suspected of having used his position as Prime Minister to obtain bribes.
According to an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, contractors chosen for the stimulus program deposited funds in the accounts of the former prime minister’s party, Bersatu, in exchange for projects.
Muhyiddin Yassin faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and a fine of at least five times the amount received, worth 230 million Malaysian ringgits ($51 million). In parallel, the ex-prime minister was also charged with two counts of money laundering, involving 195 million ringgit.
Blunted procedures?
For now, Muhyiddin Yassin denies the accusations, speaks of ” political vendetta “. Words to which his rival, the current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahimreacted on March 9, emphasizing that the ongoing investigation was being conducted independently.
Last November, just after his election, Anwar ordered a review of government plans approved by his predecessor, saying they had failed to follow proper procedures.
Muhyiddin Yassin’s bail was set today at 2 million ringgits. His passport has been taken away from him and will be kept until the conclusion of the case. The trial will take place on May 26.
