KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 8): The Sessions Court here has allowed the temporary release of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's passport for his trip to Thailand next week.

Judge Azura Alwi allowed Muhyiddin’s application. His passport has been held under the custody of the court as he is still facing money laundering charges although his corruption charges were struck out by the High Court last year.

Muhyiddin, in his application for the temporary release filed on Jan 31, told the court he had to go to Thailand, specifically Bangkok, to attend the grand opening of a restaurant there on Feb 15.

Muhyiddin said his visit would also encompass meeting with a Malaysian businessman in Thailand to discuss matters beneficial to bilateral ties between both nations.

Muhyiddin’s trip is slated to be for eight days until Feb 23.

The prosecution in the case had objected to Muhyiddin’s application, stating that it was not an urgent matter for Muhyiddin to travel to Thailand.

However, Azura allowed the temporary release of his passport, citing that Muhyiddin is not a flight risk.

The judge said the court has a wide discretion to allow or disallow the return of his passport. She said that despite Muhyiddin’s Thailand trip not being urgent, she allowed it as she looked closely at the circumstances.

She said that while he has travel restrictions, it is not appropriate for Muhyiddin to stop living his life, as long as he has not been convicted.

Muhyiddin was represented by Amer Hamzah, while the deputy public prosecutor was Nuralis Mat.

Previously, the Pagoh Member of Parliament had tried but failed to have his passport returned permanently.

Azura said Muhyiddin’s reasons for wanting a permanent release of his passport needed more concrete reasoning — for amending the bail conditions — other than the fact that the four abuse of power charges against the Bersatu president had been struck out.

She said that while the four charges were struck out, there are still three more money laundering charges against Muhyiddin, which had not been heard.

She also said Muhyiddin was at liberty to apply for the release of his passport from the court.

The Perikatan Nasional chairman faces three charges of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

This includes two charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM195 million from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, 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 in the Shah Alam Sessions Court on March 13 last year with receiving money from illegal activities amounting to RM5 million, and the case was transferred to the Sessions Court here for a joint trial.

The Sessions Court then set Feb 15 this year to hear Muhyiddin’s bid to strike out the three money laundering charges.

The court will also hear the prosecution’s bid to stay the proceedings, pending their appeal in the Court of Appeal against the striking out of the four abuse of power charges. The appeal will be heard on Feb 28 and 29 this year.