Malaysia’s ex-PM Muhyiddin Yassin charged with corruption, money laundering
Former Malaysia prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin
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.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
"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