KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution will oppose former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's application for the release of his passport to enable him to go on a holiday with his family and to undergo a medical examination abroad.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Asma Ahmad informed the court that they received the notice on Muhyiddin's passport application on Oct 17 and require time to file an affidavit in reply to the application.
"We will object to this application. Therefore, we request a date within two weeks to file the affidavit," she said before Sessions Judge Azura Alwi today.
Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan Nasional chairman, was not present in court today.
Azura then fixed Nov 23 to hear the application and ordered the prosecution to file its affidavit on or before Nov 8, while the applicant's affidavit in reply should be filed before Nov 17.
She also instructed both parties to file written submissions by Nov 21.
On Oct 16, Muhyiddin filed a notice of application for the court to vary the bond imposed on him for an unconditional release of his international passport.
In his affidavit in support, the Pagoh MP said the vacation abroad was important as this had been a stressful year for him and the family.
"It has been a tradition for me and the family to have a month-long vacation each year and this year is no exception as I intend to take the family to London at the end of the year for a holiday.
"I was informed by my travel agent that it is challenging to obtain flight tickets and arrange a vacation for a large group to London, especially close to the Christmas season and the New Year at the beginning of 2024," he said in the supporting affidavit.
In addition, Muyhiddin also said he intends to undergo a cardiac stress test on a treadmill at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.
"Previously, I underwent a cardiac stress test without this treadmill at the Mayo Clinic in the United States several years ago. I was advised by my doctor that Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore has the same diagnostic treatment or equipment as I did at the Mayo Clinic.
"Therefore, I intend to go to Singapore for my health examination," he said while also stating that he has never failed to attend any case hearing.
On Oct 2, Muhyiddin filed an application for the Sessions Court here to give him a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) of the three charges of money laundering, amounting to RM200 million relating to the Jana Wibawa project.
The Bersatu president is facing two charges 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 Feb 25 and July 16, 2021, and between Feb 8 and July 8, 2022.
Muhyiddin was also charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on March 13 this year with receiving money from illegal activities amounting to RM5 million and the case had been transferred to the Sessions Court here for a joint trial.
On Aug 15, the High Court acquitted and discharged Muhyiddin of four counts of abuse of power involving RM232.5 million in connection with the Jana Wibawa project.
The prosecution then filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal against the decision and hearing has been set for Feb 28 and 29 next year. -- Bernama