Malaysia's ex-PM loses appeal in power abuse case

Malaysia's Court of Appeal has denied former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's request to review a decision in a power abuse case involving 232.5 million ringgits ($54 million). The court's ruling means that the ex-premier will now have to face trial on four charges of abuse of power.

In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel determined that the Kuala Lumpur High Court had made a legal error in dismissing the charges and acquitting the politician in 2023. The charges were related to projects funded under Muhyiddin's government stimulus program during his tenure as prime minister from 2020 to 2021.

"The application for review is dismissed," the judge stated, as reported by the Bernama news agency.

Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Malaysian United Indigenous Party), became Malaysia's eighth prime minister in March 2020 following the resignation of his predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad.