KUALA LUMPUR – Millions of ringgit were channelled into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) during the period when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin served as both Prime Minister and the party’s president, the prosecution argued during the former premier’s court hearing today.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin acknowledged that the funds in question did not enter Muhyiddin’s personal accounts.
However, he contended that the money was instead deposited into accounts belonging to Bersatu in his opening statement.
“The evidence will show that, if not for the accused’s position as both Bersatu president and prime minister at the time, the party would not have received millions of ringgit in donation”, he said as reported by FMT.
The lead prosecutor further submitted that Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who was serving as Finance Minister at the time, merely acted in accordance with a directive issued by Muhyiddin and did not personally gain from the decision.
“Neither did the finance minister’s associate at the time, Umno, obtain any benefit,” he stressed further.
Wan Shaharuddin added that the prosecution intends to rely on a combination of documentary, direct and circumstantial evidence to substantiate its case.
He said approximately 30 witnesses are expected to be called to testify throughout the trial.
Muhyiddin is facing four charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which allege that he abused his position as Malaysia’s Prime Minister and as President of Bersatu to obtain bribes amounting to RM232.5 million.
The prosecution claims the funds were solicited from businessman Azman Yusoff, 51, as well as three companies — Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd — purportedly for the benefit of the party’s affiliates.
The hearing proceeded today after the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) rejected Muhyiddin’s representation seeking to have the four charges dismissed at the High Court last year. – March 9, 2026