Former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was on Friday charged with multiple counts of corruption and money laundering, making him the second leader in the country’s history to be indicted after leaving office.

A Kuala Lumpur court is hearing the matter related to an economic recovery project launched by his government, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said, according to Reuters news agency.

He was briefly arrested on Thursday before being released on bail.

It comes only three months after Muhyiddin lost a closely fought general election to Anwar Ibrahim. Local media reports claimed that the charges are likely to increase political tensions in Malaysia, which has seen four prime ministers since 2018.

Muhyiddin has denied accusations of wrongdoing and described them as political vendetta. He claimed that the charges were to embarrass him and cripple his Islamist-dominated alliance, which has strong support among ethnic Malays who account for about two-thirds of Malaysia's 33 million people.

On Friday, while speaking to reporters, Muhyiddin said he would face seven charges.

"I stress that I am not guilty and I will face all charges against me in court... This action is political persecution because they fear the strength of Perikatan Nasional," Muhyiddin was quoted as saying by Reuters.

If the 72-year-old is found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the corruption charges, 15 years each for money laundering and fines.

After coming to power in November, incumbent PM Anwar Ibrahim launched a probe of the government projects approved by past administrations including Muhyiddin, who helmed the post from March 2020 until August 2021.

Recently, two senior members from Muhyiddin's Bersatu party were charged with corruption. The anti-graft agency has also frozen Bersatu's party accounts.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was on Friday charged with multiple counts of corruption and money laundering, making him the second leader in the country’s history to be indicted after leaving office.

Former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was on Friday charged with multiple counts of corruption and money laundering, making him the second leader in the country’s history to be indicted after leaving office. A Kuala Lumpur court is hearing the matter related to an economic recovery project launched by his government, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said, according to Reuters news agency. He was briefly arrested on Thursday before being released on bail. It comes only three months after Muhyiddin lost a closely fought general election to Anwar Ibrahim. Local media reports claimed that the charges are likely to increase political tensions in Malaysia, which has seen four prime ministers since 2018. Muhyiddin has denied accusations of wrongdoing and described them as political vendetta. He claimed that the charges were to embarrass him and cripple his Islamist-dominated alliance, which has strong support among ethnic Malays who account for about two-thirds of Malaysia's 33 million people. On Friday, while speaking to reporters, Muhyiddin said he would face seven charges. "I stress that I am not guilty and I will face all charges against me in court... This action is political persecution because they fear the strength of Perikatan Nasional," Muhyiddin was quoted as saying by Reuters. If the 72-year-old is found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the corruption charges, 15 years each for money laundering and fines. After coming to power in November, incumbent PM Anwar Ibrahim launched a probe of the government projects approved by past administrations including Muhyiddin, who helmed the post from March 2020 until August 2021. Recently, two senior members from Muhyiddin's Bersatu party were charged with corruption. The anti-graft agency has also frozen Bersatu's party accounts. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Malaysia’s ex-PM Muhyiddin Yassin charged with corruption, money laundering

Malaysia's embattled leader will submit his resignation to the king on Monday, a minister said. His resignation would effectively end his government of 17 months and cause fresh upheaval in the country.&nbsp;

Muhyiddin Yassin has come under pressure to step down since losing his parliamentary majority and also for his administration's response to a worsening Coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-pm-muhyiddin-yassin-defends-himself-after-royal-rebuke-sparks-calls-to-quit-401495">Malaysia: PM Muhyiddin Yassin defends himself after royal rebuke sparks calls to quit</a>

Making a last-ditch effort to hold on to power, on Friday he offered institutional reforms in exchange for support from the opposition. However, the offer was rejected.

Minister Mohamad Redzuan Yusof&nbsp;told AFP that Muhyiddin informed his party's lawmakers about&nbsp;his resignation at a meeting Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.&nbsp;It would be up to King Mohammed to accept&nbsp; Muhyiddin's&nbsp;resignation or not, he said at the meeting.&nbsp;

The prime minister will convene a final cabinet meeting on Monday; he will then present his resignation letter at the palace.

"We did try to convince him to stay on, but he said: 'We do not have the number of MPs.'

In Malaysia, the constitutional monarch appoints the candidate he believes commands majority support in parliament as premier.

Muhyiddin came to power last March without elections after the collapse of Mahathir Mohamad's two-year-old reformist government.

He faced chaos from day one: his government had a weak parliamentary majority, its legitimacy was frequently questioned, and opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim remained a serious challenge.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/key-party-in-malaysia-ruling-alliance-withdraws-support-for-pm-muhyiddin-396679/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The concern that polls might worsen a virus outbreak has prompted speculation that, should he resign, the new government will be appointed without elections.

As long as there is no clear successor, there will be days of political horse-trading in parliament before a durable coalition is formed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia's embattled leader will submit his resignation to the king on Monday, a minister said. His resignation would effectively end his government of 17 months and cause fresh upheaval in the country.

Malaysia's embattled leader will submit his resignation to the king on Monday, a minister said. His resignation would effectively end his government of 17 months and cause fresh upheaval in the country. Muhyiddin Yassin has come under pressure to step down since losing his parliamentary majority and also for his administration's response to a worsening Coronavirus outbreak. Also read | Malaysia: PM Muhyiddin Yassin defends himself after royal rebuke sparks calls to quit Making a last-ditch effort to hold on to power, on Friday he offered institutional reforms in exchange for support from the opposition. However, the offer was rejected. Minister Mohamad Redzuan Yusof told AFP that Muhyiddin informed his party's lawmakers about his resignation at a meeting Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. It would be up to King Mohammed to accept Muhyiddin's resignation or not, he said at the meeting. The prime minister will convene a final cabinet meeting on Monday; he will then present his resignation letter at the palace. "We did try to convince him to stay on, but he said: 'We do not have the number of MPs.' In Malaysia, the constitutional monarch appoints the candidate he believes commands majority support in parliament as premier. Muhyiddin came to power last March without elections after the collapse of Mahathir Mohamad's two-year-old reformist government. He faced chaos from day one: his government had a weak parliamentary majority, its legitimacy was frequently questioned, and opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim remained a serious challenge. The concern that polls might worsen a virus outbreak has prompted speculation that, should he resign, the new government will be appointed without elections. As long as there is no clear successor, there will be days of political horse-trading in parliament before a durable coalition is formed. (With inputs from agencies)

Malaysian PM Yassin to announce resignation on Monday: Minister

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has been sacked from his party on Thursday by his successor and incumbent PM Muhyiddin Yassin.&nbsp;

This development came after Mahathir, 94, had said he would remove Muhyiddin from office for making a "backdoor arrangement" due to which a graft-tainted party that was rejected by voters in an election in 2018 return to power. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-pm-calls-on-mahathir-to-endorse-new-government-285594">Malaysian PM calls on Mahathir to endorse new government</a>

A widely circulated letter on social media mentioned that Mahathir automatically ceased to be a member after he rejected Muhyiddin's leadership by sitting with the opposition members when parliament met last week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysias-mahathir-out-as-king-names-muhyiddin-yassin-as-new-prime-minister-283461">Malaysia's Mahathir out as King names Muhyiddin Yassin as new Prime Minister</a>

Similar letters were also issued to Mahathir's son and party deputy president, Mukhriz, and three others affiliated with the former PM.&nbsp;

An aide to Muhyiddin confirmed the authenticity of the letter.&nbsp;

Mahathir's office has not immediately responded as it had not yet seen the letter itself, a confidante of the former PM said.

Muhyiddin, who was once a close subordinate of Mahathir, surprisingly forged an alliance with former ruling party the United Malays National Organisation and ousted Mahathir by securing a parliamentary majority.&nbsp;

The Opposition has slammed him for stealing power instead of gaining one through the ballot box.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has been sacked from his party on Thursday by his successor and incumbent PM Muhyiddin Yassin. This development came after Mahathir, 94, had said he would remove Muhyiddin from office for making a "backdoor arrangement" due to which a graft-tainted party that was rejected by voters in an election in 2018 return to power.

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has been sacked from his party on Thursday by his successor and incumbent PM Muhyiddin Yassin. This development came after Mahathir, 94, had said he would remove Muhyiddin from office for making a "backdoor arrangement" due to which a graft-tainted party that was rejected by voters in an election in 2018 return to power. Also read | Malaysian PM calls on Mahathir to endorse new government A widely circulated letter on social media mentioned that Mahathir automatically ceased to be a member after he rejected Muhyiddin's leadership by sitting with the opposition members when parliament met last week. Also read | Malaysia's Mahathir out as King names Muhyiddin Yassin as new Prime Minister Similar letters were also issued to Mahathir's son and party deputy president, Mukhriz, and three others affiliated with the former PM. An aide to Muhyiddin confirmed the authenticity of the letter. Mahathir's office has not immediately responded as it had not yet seen the letter itself, a confidante of the former PM said. Muhyiddin, who was once a close subordinate of Mahathir, surprisingly forged an alliance with former ruling party the United Malays National Organisation and ousted Mahathir by securing a parliamentary majority. The Opposition has slammed him for stealing power instead of gaining one through the ballot box.

Malaysia: Mahathir Mohamad shown door from own party