THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today reversed a Sessions Court order to release the passport of former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman, who sought to travel abroad purportedly to treat his coronary ailments.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan ruled that Musa, 68, failed to prove that the treatment sought was not readily available in Malaysia.

Zaini said there is no suggestion from Musa that he can only be treated in Singapore and the UK.

“To my mind, the accused is merely seeking to be treated by doctors of his choice,” he said.

The judge said while the court did not dispute Musa’s ailment, the issue at hand was whether he should be allowed to leave the country for treatment.

Musa has yet to decide whether he will appeal, said his lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad. 

On January 7, judge Rozina Ayob allowed Musa’s application for the release from January 15 to February 10 of his passport on condition that he would travel only to Singapore and London.

She also ordered Musa to return the passport by February 11 at the latest and said the surety was responsible for the accused and must know of his whereabouts during that period.

At yesterday’s hearing of the government’s application to review the Sessions Court’s decision, deputy public prosecutor Salim Shoib told the high court that Musa’s grounds to seek treatment overseas were not extraordinary, not strong and did not reflect urgency.

“It is not appropriate to give permission for the respondent to go overseas only on medical grounds. The court should take into consideration the need for the respondent to seek treatment,” he said.

Salim said Musa failed to provide evidence that the treatment was not available in Malaysia.

“There was no record submitted by the respondent that say electrocardiogram, blood test, angiogram coronary test, angiography and polysomnography cannot be made in Malaysia,” he added.

Salim added that Musa could be a flight risk.

Amer Hamzah said Musa needed follow-up for the treatment he has been receiving since 1996.

On November 5, 2018, Musa claimed trial to 35 counts of corruption involving US$63.3 million (RM263 million) in connection with timber concession contracts in Sabah. He is out on bail of RM2 million in two sureties. – January 16, 2019.