KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Former Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim chose to wear purple police lock-up attire and handcuffs when he appeared in the Sessions Court here today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said.
In a statement, the MACC said its officers, the police escorting Abdul Azeez and his lawyer had advised him to change into ordinary clothes before he was taken to court.
“He was also informed that there was no need for him to wear handcuffs,” it said.
However, the MACC said Abdul Azeez insisted on remaining in the lock-up attire and handcuffs until the charge against him had been read.
The commission said that no party, particularly the MACC, had instructed or required him to appear in that manner.
It also urged the public not to speculate or circulate inaccurate information concerning the matter.
Abdul Azeez pleaded not guilty today to using his position as TH chairman to secure the chairmanship of Putrajaya Perdana Berhad and influence TH’s board to approve an investment of up to RM193.5 million in the company in 2014.
He was separately remanded for two days today alongside two former senior TH officials to assist a police investigation into alleged cheating involving the pilgrim fund’s hibah payments.
