Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been allowed temporary release of his passport to travel to the United Kingdom next month for his annual pancreatic cancer check-up and consultation with a specialist.
High Court judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin, however, denied the 78-year-old’s request to collect the passport immediately, ruling that he may obtain it on Dec 8, ahead of his scheduled flight to London on Dec 15. The judge also instructed Muhyiddin to return the passport by Jan 5, instead of the Jan 8 date he requested, noting that a five- to six-day transit in Dubai was unnecessary.
“Based on the supporting affidavit, I do not see any justification for a five- to six-day transit in Dubai. A transit of one to two days is sufficient,” the judge said, adding that alternate flight options with shorter layovers are available.
Judge Noor Ruwena also warned against booking flights before court approval, stressing that such actions could set a dangerous precedent.
Muhyiddin, Pagoh MP and Perikatan Nasional chairman, was present in court wearing a blue-and-white striped shirt with a dark blazer. His lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, requested that Muhyiddin be allowed to spend time with his family without interruption, noting that the trip was for medical reasons and not a holiday.
Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, appearing with Noralis Mat, did not object to the UK medical trip but argued that it was inappropriate for Muhyiddin to spend additional time with family in London before flying to Madrid. He suggested the passport be returned by Dec 20 if approved.
Muhyiddin requested his passport until Jan 12 to cover medical consultations at the Platinum Medical Centre on Dec 17 with Professor Brian Davidson and to spend time with his three grandchildren in the UK. He also planned to visit Madrid from Dec 20 to Jan 2 before returning to Kuala Lumpur on Jan 8.
The former prime minister said he is not a flight risk, emphasizing that his family and assets remain in Malaysia.
Muhyiddin faces seven charges linked to the Jana Wibawa scandal, including four counts of abuse of power and three counts of money laundering. He is accused of soliciting RM232.5 million in bribes from companies and individuals for his party while in office during the Covid-19 pandemic, and allegedly laundering RM200 million into party accounts. The trial is expected to begin next year.
