Jamil Khir Charged With Misappropriating RM860 million in Tabung Haji Funds

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom was charged in the Sessions Court today with three counts of causing Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to dishonestly dispose of over RM860 million to a Saudi Arabia-based property development company.

Jamil Khir, 65, who is also a former Jerai Member of Parliament, pleaded not guilty to all three charges after they were read before Sessions Court Judge Rosli Ahmad.

According to the charge sheet, Jamil Khir, in his capacity as minister overseeing religious affairs, is alleged to have dishonestly caused the TH Board to transfer funds totaling RM860,308,770.51—equivalent to SAR766,060,237 (Saudi Riyals)—to Al-Rawda Real Estate Development and Projects Management Co Ltd (Al-Rawda).

The transactions involved three separate tranches comprising RM42,942,074 (SAR44.17 million), RM288,172,134.64 (SAR250.04 million), and RM529,194,561.87 (SAR471.85 million).

The alleged offences took place at the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) office in Putrajaya across three separate dates: April 3, 2015, Dec 14, 2016, and Aug 17, 2017.

All three charges were framed under Section 403 of the Penal Code for dishonest misappropriation of property. Upon conviction, the offence carries a mandatory prison sentence of between six months and five years, whipping, and a fine.

–NMT