THE Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has denied Muhyiddin Yassin’s application for his passport to be returned to him permanently. Instead, the court agreed to release the document to him for a temporary period.

The Pagoh lawmaker had sought his passport for the purpose of a family holiday in London and a medical check-up in Singapore at the end of the year.

After listening to a brief oral submission by the applicant’s counsel K, Kumaraendran and deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib, judge Azura Alwi allowed Muhyiddin temporary possesion of his travel document.

Muhyiddin must surrender his passport to the court by January 15.

On October 16, Muhyiddin filed a notice of application for the court to lower the bond imposed on him for the unconditional release of his passport.

In his supporting affidavit, Muhyiddin said he needed a vacation abroad because he and his family have had a stressful year.
 
“It has been a tradition for me and the family to have a month-long vacation each year and this year is no exception. I intend to take the family to London at the end of the year for a holiday,” he said.

“I was informed by my travel agent that it is challenging to obtain flight tickets and arrange for a vacation in London for a large group, especially close to the Christmas season and the New Year.”

Muyhiddin also said he intended to undergo a cardiac stress test at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

On October 2, Muhyiddin filed an application to the Sessions Court for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on three charges of laundering RM200 million in connection with the  Jana Wibawa project.

The Bersatu president is accused of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM195 million from Bukhary Equity, which was deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account.

The offences were allegedly committed at CIMB Bank Menara KL Branch, Jalan Stesen Sentral, here, between February 25 and July 16, 2021, and between February 8 and July 8, 2022.

Muhyiddin was also charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on March 13 with receiving money from illegal activities amounting to RM5 million. The case had been transferred to the Sessions Court for a joint trial – November 29, 2023.