Abdul Azeez hit with 12 counts of graft and money laundering (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has claimed trial at a Sessions Court here Wednesday (Jan 16) to three counts of graft amounting to RM5.2mil over allegations of assisting a local company to obtain contracts.

The 53-year-old former Tabung Haji chairman was accused of receiving RM1.2mil, RM2mil and RM2mil in three separate transactions from one Mohammad Redzuan Mohanan Abdullah, who is the director of Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd, as a reward for himself in assisting Menuju Asas to obtain several government projects.

The projects, valued at RM842.2mil, involved upgrading and building road works in Perak and Kedah.

Abdul Azeez allegedly committed the offences at three different banks in Jalan Tun Perak and Pusat Bandar Puchong between Dec 8, 2010 and April 10, 2018.

He was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 which carries a maximum jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

His older brother Abdul Latif, 61, was charged with two counts of abetting him in two alleged transactions involving RM2mil each.

Abdul Azeez was also slapped with nine counts of money laundering under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Anti-Terrorism Financing Act and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) 2001.

He allegedly received proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to RM139.4mil from several companies between March 2010 and August 2018.

Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi fixed bail at RM800,000 in one surety for Abdul Azeez and RM500,000 in one surety for Abdul Latif.

The case is fixed for mention on March 27.