TH RCI findings lead to court charges and investigations, with former chairman Abdul Azeez and two former officials facing legal action
KUALA LUMPUR: Findings in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into the management and operations of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) have led to several individuals being charged in court and remanded for investigation.
The government previously stressed that every recommendation and finding in the report would be thoroughly investigated without compromise, and anyone found abusing the public’s trust must be brought to justice.
To date, three individuals, including former TH chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, have been charged in court, while another could not attend proceedings as he is undergoing treatment for a heart condition.
Abdul Azeez, 59, pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today, while former THP Bina Sdn Bhd occupational safety and health manager Nasahruddin Ahmad, 56, and former TH Properties Sdn Bhd deputy general manager Tengku Kamarolhisham Tengku Kamaruddin, 55, claimed trial to their respective charges on Sept 3.
THP Bina Sdn Bhd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TH Properties Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of TH), focusing on construction and project management.
On the same date (Sept 3), a former TH chief operating officer was scheduled to be charged in the Shah Alam Sessions Court, but the proceedings were postponed to Sept 24 as he is undergoing heart treatment, and he is expected to face three corruption charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code.
Abdul Azeez, who is also former Baling MP, was charged with using his position to secure a chairmanship position in a company and convincing the TH Board of Directors to approve an RM193.5 million investment in the firm in 2014.
“I understand the charge. The charge is completely untrue, and I claim trial,” he said after the charge was read out before Judge Azura Alwi.
Judge Azura granted bail at RM450,000 with two local sureties and ordered Abdul Azeez to report to the Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office every three months until the case is resolved, fixing Nov 11 for document submission.
Before being charged under the MACC Act, Abdul Azeez and two former top TH officials were remanded for two days starting today to assist in investigations into alleged fraud involving TH hibah payouts under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Nasahruddin faces three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM72,000 in penalty collections related to a proposed office complex development project in Putrajaya.
Judge Rosli Ahmad granted Nasahruddin bail at RM50,000 with one surety for all charges, with additional conditions to report to the Putrajaya MACC office monthly, surrender his passport to the court, and refrain from tampering with prosecution witnesses, fixing Oct 5 for mention.
Tengku Kamarolhisham faces three charges of abetting Nasahruddin in committing the same offences.
Judge Azura allowed Tengku Kamarolhisham RM45,000 bail with one surety, subject to the same additional conditions, and set Oct 5 for mention.
Previously, the MACC obtained court orders to remand 11 individuals to assist in investigations related to the TH RCI report.
Those remanded included the former TH chairman, a former chief executive officer, a former minister, as well as several senior management personnel and individuals linked to related companies.
