SHAH ALAM - Malaysia’s former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday claimed trial to one count of money laundering at the Shah Alam Court, in connection with a government stimulus programme during his premiership.

“I pleaded not guilty and asked for the case to go to trial,” the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief told reporters at the courthouse in Selangor state.

The charge was framed under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Muhyiddin is accused of receiving RM5 million (S$1.5 million) in Bersatu’s account on Jan 7, 2022, stemming from alleged illegal activities of investment company Bukhary Equity.

If found guilty of money laundering, the 75-year-old statesman may be sentenced up to 15 years in jail and fined five times the amount involved, or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

The case has been transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, following six other charges against Muhyiddin that are being tried there.

Sessions Court judge Rozilah Salleh allowed the RM2 million bail condition previously imposed by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to be used for this case.

The charge sheet used the name Mahiaddin Md Yasin, the former prime minister’s legal name. Bail was set at RM2 million with two sureties, and Muhyiddin’s international passport will be held until the case concludes.

If convicted, he faces 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of five times the amount of gratification involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, for the abuse-of-power charges.

Muhyiddin is the second former Malaysian premier, after Najib Razak, to be charged with corruption.

Najib is serving a 12-year sentence after he was found guilty of one of the charges linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

He has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them political slander.