Judge Azura Alwi said Section 165 of the Criminal Procedure Code allowed a joint trial as both charges arose from the same series of acts.

“The joint trial is allowed in the interest of justice. Further, it will save the court’s time and resources,” she said in her oral judgment.

Azura said it was trite law that the prosecution must first establish a prima facie case and later prove its case beyond reasonable doubt to secure a conviction.

“The accused will also not be prejudiced as he will be allowed to put his defence at the earliest opportune time,” she said.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin, 77, who was prime minister at the time of the alleged offences, was charged with using his position to obtain RM232.5 million in bribes for his party from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd, and Azman Yusoff.

He was charged with committing the offence at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021.

He also faces three money laundering charges involving RM200 million.

The application for a joint trial was filed by the prosecution.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin had submitted that all seven charges should be tried together as they were interrelated.

Separately, Muhyiddin withdrew a pending application to strike out the money laundering charges. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, appearing for the former prime minister, told Azura the application had become academic.

Azura fixed case management for Feb 18, when she is expected to fix trial dates.

Wan Shaharuddin, who was assisted by deputy public prosecutor Zander Lim, said the prosecution intended to call 30 witnesses to testify.

Lawyers K Kumaraendran and Chetan Jethwani also appeared for Muhyiddin, who was present in court today.