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KUALA LUMPUR - Former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said he wanted to clear his name through the court process, which he believed was among the best avenues to seek justice, after being charged with three counts of allegedly misappropriating Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) property totalling nearly RM861 million.
Jamil Khir said he believed the court would deliver the best outcome in the trial, following what he described as a long journey involving the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into TH’s management since 2018.
“First of all, I would like to thank Allah SWT for giving me this opportunity today. It has been a long journey in the RCI Tabung Haji case, from 2018 until the date of the official announcement.
“I want to clear my name at the court level because I believe it is one of the best places to seek justice. Insya-Allah, I believe the court will deliver the best outcome in this trial,” he said.
Jamil Khir said he had been accused of being involved in matters concerning hotel rentals related to the RCI into TH, adding that he was grateful the issue had been raised as accommodation was an important component of the pilgrims fund’s operations.
“Today, I have been accused of being involved in the issue concerning hotel rentals for the RCI Tabung Haji. I am grateful that this matter has been raised as accommodation is one of the core and important aspects of the RCI Tabung Haji.
“In the past, I took the approach of securing hotel accommodation for a longer period so that we could obtain the best price reduction or lock in the best rates, thereby reducing the cost of Hajj and related expenses.
“This is the accusation that has been made against me today,” he added.
Jamil Khir pleaded not guilty today to three charges of allegedly misappropriating TH property totalling nearly RM861 million to Saudi company Al Rawda Real Estate Development and Projects Management Co Ltd between 2015 and 2017.
The charges involved RM42.99 million on Apr 3, 2015, RM288.17 million on Dec 14, 2016 and RM520.19 million on Aug 17, 2017.
The alleged offences were said to have been committed while Jamil Khir was minister and were charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code.
Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad granted Jamil Khir bail of RM300,000 with one surety and ordered him to surrender his passport.
The next case mention has been set for Nov 5.
The case followed investigations into TH’s lease of properties in Makkah and Medina after an RCI was conducted into the management of the pilgrims fund.
