Gobind asks AG to explain decision to drop 4 Muhyiddin charges

DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo has called on Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar to explain the decision to discontinue four charges against former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin linked to Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd.

A lawyer by training, Gobind said Dusuki must provide a detailed explanation for seeking a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), which ultimately resulted in Muhyiddin being acquitted of the four charges today.

The digital minister said transparency was essential as the trial, which was of significant public interest, was nearing its conclusion.

“Confidence in the attorney-general and the integrity of the criminal justice system as a whole will be heavily eroded if active, high-profile prosecutions are discontinued midway through without clear justification and a full explanation provided to the public,” he said in a statement.

“When criminal charges are brought against any person, the standard expectation is that the prosecution has thoroughly evaluated the evidence and established a strong basis to proceed.

“The public is entitled to know what specific material factors or legal considerations changed to prompt the decision to halt the process at this stage.”

Earlier today, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that the prosecution had decided not to proceed with the four charges against Muhyiddin after reviewing the overall circumstances of the case.

He applied for a DNAA under Section 254(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

However, High Court Justice Noor Ruwena Nurdin acquitted Muhyiddin after the prosecution offered no specific reason for its DNAA application.

Muhyiddin had faced three money laundering charges involving RM200 million allegedly received from Bukhary Equity, as well as one abuse of power charge relating to the alleged solicitation of the amount.

The Bersatu president still faces three other abuse of power charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

In that case, Muhyiddin is accused of abusing his position to solicit RM25.3 million in bribes from Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd, KCJ Engineering Sdn Bhd and its managing director, Azman Yusoff.