Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin became the country’s second leader to be indicted for corruption after departing office on Friday after being charged with accepting bribes and money laundering.
In his plea, Muhyiddin—who served as prime minister for 17 months between 2020 and 2021—said the accusations were politically driven.
In order to give businesses contracts through Malaysia’s pandemic recovery fund, Muhyiddin is alleged to have accepted payments from the businesses.
Attorneys claim that the overall amount of bribes paid to Muhyiddin’s center-right, Malay-dominated political party Bersatu was 232.5 million ringgit ($51.4 million, €48.5 million).
Muhyiddin was also accused of money laundering in connection with the transfer of 195 million ringgit into party funds.
If convicted, he could spend up to 20 years behind bars and pay sizable penalties.
Muhyiddin advanced within the party under the leadership of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for his role in the theft of the state investment company 1MDB.
When he was fired for criticizing the government over the 1MDB affair in 2015, he split with Najib.
Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister, established a multi-et
