Tabung Haji RCI Findings Lead to Multiple Charges and Remands in Corruption Sweep including Azeez Rahim

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 – Legal action following the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into the management and operations of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has escalated, with several former top executives and officials charged in court or remanded for investigation. The Malaysian government reiterated that every recommendation and finding from the inquiry will be thoroughly investigated, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for those accused of abusing public trust.

To date, three key individuals have been formally charged, including former TH chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim. Abdul Azeez, 59, pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Wednesday to using his former position to secure a chairmanship in a private firm and convincing the TH Board of Directors to approve an RM193.5 million investment proposal in that firm in 2014. Responding to the charge before Judge Azura Alwi, the former Baling MP declared, “I understand the charge. The charge is completely untrue, and I claim trial.” Judge Azura set bail at RM450,000 with two local sureties, ordering him to report to the Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office every three months, with November 11 fixed for document submission.

Beyond his charges under the MACC Act, Abdul Azeez and two former senior TH officials were remanded for two days starting Wednesday to assist in ongoing investigations into alleged fraud involving TH hibah payouts under Section 420 of the Penal Code. Overall, the MACC previously secured court orders to remand 11 individuals linked to the TH RCI report, including a former chief executive officer, a former minister, and several senior management personnel.

Other former executives from TH subsidiaries have also faced court action. On September 3, former THP Bina Sdn Bhd occupational safety and health manager Nasahruddin Ahmad, 56, was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM72,000 in penalty collections linked to a Putrajaya office complex project. Former TH Properties Sdn Bhd deputy general manager Tengku Kamarolhisham Tengku Kamaruddin, 55, claimed trial to three charges of abetting Nasahruddin. Meanwhile, a former TH chief operating officer scheduled to face three corruption charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code had his proceedings postponed to September 24 as he is undergoing treatment for a heart condition.

–NMT