No investigation papers opened against Abdul Azeez over allegation of stolen Tabung Haji funds, says deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR: No investigation papers have been opened following allegations of stolen Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) funds, says Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

"This includes (against) YB Baling (Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim) which we often heard (about)," the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said in reply to a supplementary question from Abdul Azeez (BN-Baling) during Question Time.

Abdul Azeez had asked the government to confirm whether there were any investigation papers opened against any members of the top management or board members of TH prior to 2018 involving allegations of stolen money.

Ahmad Marzuk said the government agreed to hold a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the matter to further preserve and improve investor confidence and the interests of depositors.

He added that any recommendation for improvements, including the government's guarantee on Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd (UJSB) sukuk, would be considered based on the findings of the RCI.

"This is a problem that needs to be fixed presently," said the Deputy Minister.

To the initial question, he said the government would soon announce the terms and conditions of the RCI set up to investigate issues related to TH.

He explained that the Cabinet had agreed on July 14 to form the RCI to look into Lembaga TH related issues that occurred between 2014 until last year.

"As additional information, in the last Cabinet meeting, it was decided that the RCI will be put under the purview of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) while the terms and conditions of the RCI will be announced soon," he said.

It would involve audits carried out by consultants such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and Roland Berger between 2014 and last year.