Politician acquitted in corruption case

Politician acquitted in corruption case

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A Malaysian court acquitted a senior member of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's political party of corruption charges, newspapers said on Wednesday.

Muhammad Muhammad Taib, 53, one of three vice presidents in Mahathir's United Malays National Organization, was acquitted on Tuesday of a charge of failing to declare his assets fully. The charge carries a sentence of one year in jail, or a 2,000 ringgit fine or both.

Muhammad was charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act with failing to comply fully with a notice last year to declare his assets.

After the notice was issued, he declared assets worth 10.82 million ringgit (US$2.87 million) and A$3.46 million. The prosecution said the amounts underestimated his true worth.