JELEBU: Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (pic) is prepared to be probed again over alleged wrongdoings and losses involving Lembaga Tabung Haji, as stated in a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report.
The former Tabung Haji chairman said he had previously been investigated over the matter and was cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“I was already cleared by the then MACC commissioner (Tan Sri Azam Baki) in 2021.
“If the media wants to see proof, I can share the official letter issued to me,” he said when met while campaigning for Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias in Simpang Pertang near here.
Abdul Azeez said he was also investigated during the tenure of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2018.
“If I had done anything wrong, Dr Mahathir would have sent me to jail.
“The probe was thorough and I was kept in a lockup for almost two weeks,” he said, adding that police had also questioned him several times over the matter.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Cabinet, which was briefed on the RCI report, was told that the fund incurred RM10bil in losses due to regulatory breaches, poor investment decisions and other governance issues dating back to 2014.
Abdul Azeez said he had recently asked the police’s commercial crime investigation department about the case and was told they were waiting for the “no further action” order against him.
He said when allegations of wrongdoings were first made, he had pleaded with Dr Mahathir, the then deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and minister in the prime minister’s department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa to set up an RCI.
He claimed to have again pleaded with former premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to do the same.
“When Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was made PM, I went to see him and told him that we must set up an RCI.
“It was an Umno PM who actually ordered the RCI to be set up.”
Abdul Azeez said he was in no position to commit any wrongdoing as he was only the chairman.
“I never got involved in their day-to-day business affairs. I would only go there about once a month as the senior management would table working papers for discussion to a team.
“There would also be representatives from the investment panel and risk management department.”
Abdul Azeez said any decisions taken would then be forwarded to the former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
Abdul Azeez said he would give his full cooperation if called in again.
“If I am found guilty, I am prepared to go to jail,” he added.
Jamil Khir also said he is ready to be investigated over the matter.
Speaking at a Wanita Umno event in Seremban, Jamil Khir said he would not shy away from any inquiry.
“It is not a question of whether I am ready to be investigated. If it is required under the rules, then it must be done.
“Back in 2018, I was investigated, even before the RCI. If they want to investigate again, there is no problem. I am not going to run. I am a Malaysian citizen.
“From more than 200 pages of the RCI report, there is not a single finding that says money was siphoned off, stolen or taken,” he said yesterday.
Jamil Khir oversaw the fund from 2009 until Pakatan Harapan took power in 2018 and was among those who gave evidence to the RCI.
