KUALA LUMPUR: Former Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim pleaded not guilty to a charge of using his position to obtain a company chairmanship with remuneration of RM690,000 12 years ago.
“I understand. It is not true at all. I request for a trial,” said Abdul Azeez, who was dressed in a purple police lock-up shirt, after the charge was read out before Sessions judge Azura Alwi.
Abdul Azeez is charged with using his position as chairman of the Tabung Haji board to obtain gratification, namely the chairmanship of Putrajaya Perdana Bhd with a remuneration of RM690,000 per year and the use of a BMW 7 Series car with a permanent driver.
The accused allegedly instructed Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, then chief executive officer of the TH board, to propose him as the TH representative in Putrajaya Perdana.
Abdul Azeez is also accused of convincing the TH board members during a meeting to approve a proposal to invest up to RM193.5mil (up to 30% of the existing issued share capital) in the same company in which he had an interest.
The offence was allegedly committed at the board meeting room in the TH building at Jalan Tun Razak, here, on Aug 25, 2014, under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009 [Act 694], which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
The charge carries a maximum imprisonment term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib sought a RM1mil bail with two local sureties.
Another DPP, Law Chin How, requested that the accused’s passport be surrendered to the court until the case is resolved, citing a risk of flight.
The judge granted Abdul Azeez bail of RM450,000 with two local sureties, with the additional condition that he report to the Kuala Lumpur MACC office every three months until the case is concluded.
The court fixed Nov 11 for submission of documents.
However, Abdul Azeez remained in police custody until today despite the court granting bail.
His lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad said the remand order issued earlier yesterday for another case was still in force and had to be complied with until it expired.
“Technically, yes, because the remand order is still in force and must be complied with. He is still in police custody until the remand period ends. After that, he can be released,” he told reporters after the proceedings.
Earlier yesterday, a Magistrate’s Court granted a remand order until today to allow Abdul Azeez to assist investigations into a hibah fraud case.
It is understood he was remanded together with two other individuals.
Abdul Azeez’s cases are related to investigations linked to disclosures made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on TH.
The RCI report on TH, published on the Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) official portal on July 29, recommended, among other measures, a forensic audit to examine past investment decision-making that led to a significant decline in the institution’s asset value.
The RCI report, which examined TH’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020, also identified specific investments requiring a forensic audit.
The report further found suspicious transactions and concealed information.
Meanwhile, in a statement, MACC said Abdul Azeez appeared in the purple shirt and handcuffs “on his own volition”.
The commission said Abdul Azeez was advised by MACC officers, police escorts, and his defence counsel to change into civilian attire, but he insisted on wearing the lockup attire and handcuffs until the charge was read to him.
“MACC wishes to stress that the outfit and handcuffs worn by him were not on the instructions or demand of any party, particularly MACC,” read the statement, which also urged the public not to spread inaccurate information regarding the matter.
