Muhyiddin allowed to obtain passport for medical treatment, visit family in the UK

Muhyiddin allowed to obtain passport for medical treatment, visit family in the UK

KUALA LUMPUR – The High Court here on Tuesday allowed former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to retrieve his passport so he can travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for a pancreatic cancer check-up and to visit his grandchildren next month.

Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin made the decision after approving the application by Muhyiddin, 78, to obtain his passport from Dec 8 until Jan 5, 2026.

She said the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman had applied for the release of the travel document on Nov 6, citing the need to undergo medical examinations for an illness he has been battling since 2018.

According to her, the applicant has an appointment at a medical centre in London on Dec 17 and also relied on the fact that the Sessions Court previously allowed similar applications for passport release.

However, she said the prosecution did not object to his medical reasons but disagreed with granting the passport solely for Muhyiddin’s intention to spend time with his family, including three grandchildren who currently reside in the UK.

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She added that the prosecution also objected to the applicant’s request to go on vacation with his wife and family in Madrid, Spain.

“The applicant has booked flight tickets on Dec 15 and then to Madrid from Dec 20 until Jan 2, 2026.

“He and his wife will return to Malaysia via Dubai with a transit of five to six days and arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 8, 2026, before returning the travel document to the court on Jan 12,” the judge said.

After reviewing both requests, she said the court saw no justification for such a long transit in Dubai when the duration could be shortened.

She said that upon checking with the airline, there were still other options available for shorter transit dates.

“The applicant should have made early arrangements and obtained the court’s permission first by submitting a proposal to the court.

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“Instead, he booked the tickets, this is what opens the door to many similar applications in the future,” she said.

Ruwena added that the applicant’s decision to purchase flight tickets before filing the court application showed he was taking the risk of whether his request for passport release would be approved or not.

As such, she advised the defence not to take future applications lightly.

“Based on the evidence and the court’s discretion, this application is allowed on the condition that the passport return period is shortened, beginning from Dec 8 instead of today.

“It must be returned to the court on or before Jan 5 next year,” she said.

During the proceedings, lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Muhyiddin, said that for reasons of medical treatment and visiting his family abroad, his client requested the passport to be released from Tuesday until Jan 12 next year.

He urged the court to grant the applicant the opportunity to undergo recovery and spend quality time with his family without interference.

“My client poses no flight risk and Muhyiddin is determined to clear his name through the judicial process,” he said.

However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat said the prosecution did not object to Muhyiddin’s request to undergo follow-up treatment in the UK.

But he objected to the request to vacation with his wife and family in Madrid.

“This is because such an approval would open the door to many similar applications in the future.

“If the court intends to allow this application, I propose the passport release period only until Dec 20,” he said.

He was present with Deputy Public Prosecutors Noralis Mat and Wan Iman Wan Ahmad Afzal.

For the first to fourth charges, the Pagoh MP is accused, as a public officer, namely the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Bersatu President, of using his position for bribes amounting to RM232.5 million from an individual, Azman Yusoff, 51 and three companies: Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, for the benefit of the party’s associates.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Prime Minister’s Office, Perdana Putra Building, Federal Government Administrative Centre, here between March 1, 2020 and August 20, 2021.

All charges were made under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

The section provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe involved, or RM10,000 whichever is higher upon conviction.

For the fifth and sixth charges, Muhyiddin, as the party president, is accused of receiving proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM195 million from Bukhary Equity, which was deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB Bank account.

The offences were allegedly committed at CIMB Bank, Menara Kuala Lumpur branch, between February 25, 2021 and July 8, 2022.

Both charges were filed under Section 4(1)(b) read together with Section 87(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA), which carries a penalty under Section 4(1) of the same Act.

This section provides for imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the proceeds from unlawful activities or the instrument of the offence at the time it was committed or RM5 million whichever is higher upon conviction.

The court has set case management for Feb 23, 2026 and Muhyiddin is excused from attending the date.