Jamil Khir’s defence team will challenge three charges over RM860.3 million in Tabung Haji funds, with bail set at RM300,000
KUALA LUMPUR: The defence team of former minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom will challenge three charges alleging that he caused Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to dispose of RM860.3 million in funds.
His lawyer, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, said the defence would first scrutinise documents to be provided by the prosecution before deciding on its next course of action.
“We will provide the best defence. I believe that in the end, everyone will see that he was charged under Section 403 merely because he was carrying out his duties as a minister.
“We will defend him to the best of our ability. Insya-Allah, we will prove that he is not guilty,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex after today’s proceedings.
Hisyam was accompanied by fellow defence counsel Datuk Hamidi Mohd Noh.
He said the defence would carefully examine the documents to be handed over by the prosecution to prepare its case.
“At the next session, the prosecution will provide us with the documents required under the law.
“We will study and examine these documents thoroughly and prepare a strong defence for Jamil Khir,” he said.
Earlier, Jamil Khir, 65, claimed trial to three charges under Section 403 of the Penal Code, alleging that he dishonestly caused TH to dispose of a total of RM860,308,770.51 to Al-Rawda Real Estate Development and Projects Management Co Ltd.
The first charge involves RM42.94 million allegedly disposed of on April 3, 2015, followed by RM288.17 million on Dec 14, 2016, and RM529.19 million on Aug 17, 2017.
The offences were allegedly committed at Jamil Khir’s office in Putrajaya while he was the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs.
If convicted, an offence under Section 403 carries a jail term of between six months and five years, whipping and a fine.
The charges were read before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad, with Jamil Khir pleading not guilty and claiming trial.
Deputy public prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan, assisted by Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar, sought RM1 million bail with one surety, citing the amount involved and the high-profile nature of the case.
Hisyam, however, urged the court not to impose excessive bail, arguing that its purpose was to ensure the accused’s attendance at court.
He offered RM300,000 in bail, saying Jamil Khir had no source of income apart from his pension as a former minister and retired army general.
The court subsequently granted bail at RM300,000 with one surety and ordered Jamil Khir to surrender his passport and other relevant travel documents.
Hisyam said Jamil Khir’s son was prepared to post the bail, with the judge reminding him of his duties as a surety.
The court fixed Nov 5 for mention.
Jamil Khir, who served as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) from 2009 to 2018 and is a former Jerai MP, was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Sept 1 and remanded for seven days to assist investigations linked to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into TH’s management and governance.
He had previously maintained that decisions made during his tenure were based on recommendations by TH’s board and followed established procedures.
