PERIKATAN Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has filed an application for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal from his remaining three money laundering charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

The former prime minister and Bersatu president was previously freed from four abuse of power charges related to the programme.

At the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today, Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP, filed the notice of application and served the copies to the prosecution.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin confirmed that they have received copies of the application.

Muhyiddin’s legal team had previously informed the Sessions Court that they intended to file the bid to set aside the three money laundering charges.

In August, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed Muhyiddin’s application to nullify the four abuse of power charges against him, resulting in a full acquittal.

However, the prosecution has filed an appeal against that decision.

In his affidavit, Muhyiddin contended that the money laundering charges were baseless with the previous nullification of the abuse of power charges.

He said the money laundering charges depend on the existence of predicate (main) criminal charges such as abuse of power. Therefore, with the four power abuse charges having been quashed, the money laundering charges have become baseless.

In March, Muhyiddin claimed trial to four counts of abuse of power and three money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million.

The abuse of power charges, framed under section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, accused him of using his position as then prime minister and Bersatu president for an inducement of RM232.5 million from three companies and an individual between March 1, 2020, and August 20, 2021.

The money laundering charges were laid out under section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, read with section 87(1) of the same act.

Muhyiddin, 76, is accused of abusing his powers for Bersatu to receive RM125 million of proceeds from illegal activity from Bukhary Equity, between February 25, 2021 and July 8, 2022. – October 4, 2023.