Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim. - Filepic/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The prosecution was left with no evidence to support its graft case against former Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim after new investigations into the case by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) said since the case was filed, Abdul Azeez had submitted several representations to the department through his lawyers Kumar Partnership and AmerBon Associates asking for the charges against him to be dropped.
"However, through letters of representation dated March 11, 2022 and March 16, 2022, the prosecution received six statutory declarations from key prosecution witnesses which must lead to a thorough investigation by the MACC as there was new evidence that was not considered before," said the AGC in a statement on Friday (Dec 9).
The AGC said the development of the anti-graft body's investigations had been referred back to the prosecution.
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"Upon review, the prosecution was satisfied that there was no evidence and facts that were in favour of the prosecution," said the AGC.
On Sept 23, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court had granted Azeez a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) in his corruption case at the request of the prosecutors, who wanted to carry out further investigations.
Azeez's lawyers filed an application for an acquittal and discharge (AND) from all charges on Dec 1.
The AGC said it decided not to continue the charge against Azeez and did not object to the AND application on Friday (Dec 9) after examining the investigation papers.
ALSO READ: Abdul Azeez freed of graft charges
Earlier on Friday (Dec 9), Azeez, who is a former Tabung Haji chairman, was acquitted of three charges of corruption and six charges of money laundering in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah.
Abdul Azeez, 55, was charged with three counts of accepting bribes amounting to RM5.2mil and six charges of money laundering amounting to RM972,414.60 in relation to road projects in Perak and Kedah.
The charges were framed under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009 which provides imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe, if found guilty.
For the money laundering charges, they were framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001 which is punishable under Section 4(1) of the same law.
The trial of the case began on Aug 19, 2020, with seven prosecution witnesses called to testify.
