KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court has set Nov 29 to give verdict on Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's application to release his passport permanently.
Judge Azura Alwi fixed the date after hearing submissions from both parties today.
The former prime minister said he needed the document for a family holiday in London and medical check-up in Singapore at the end of this year.
He said the vacation is important because it allows him to spend time with his family as this year has been very stressful for them.
Muhyiddin said he will be taking an Emirates flight from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai on Dec 15 and will have a layover until Dec 21 before departing for London on the same day.
The Pagoh member of parliament said he will be in London from Dec 21 until Jan 10, next year.
On Nov 17, the prosecution, when objecting to Muhyiddin's application, said the former prime minister must not be allowed to travel abroad as he still faces multiple corruption charges.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Lim Wai Keong said Muhyiddin still has three money laundering charges that he needs to answer, and the seizure of his passport will ensure his presence during proceedings.
He said Muhyiddin can apply from time to time for the release of his passport if it is required for travel purposes abroad.
On Oct 4, Muhyiddin filed an application to strike out his remaining three money laundering charges linked to the Jana Wibawa scandal.
He also wanted the Sessions Court to grant him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) from the charges.
The defence team, earlier, contended that the money laundering charges would not stand as they were predicated to the main ones which were dropped recently.
On Aug 15, High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin acquitted and discharged the former prime minister on all four charges of abuse of power.
Muhyiddin was charged with two counts of receiving RM195 million in funds that were proceeds from unlawful activities between Feb 25 and July 16, 2021, and Feb 8 until July 8 last year.
He was also charged with one count of receiving RM5 million in funds from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, that were proceeds from unlawful activities on Jan 7 last year.
The charge is framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).
The offence under AMLATFPUAA carries a jail term not exceeding 15 years and a fine of at least five times the sum obtained from money laundering or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
