Former TH chairman Abdul Azeez charged with abuse of power involving RM190m investment

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Former Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was charged today with receiving gratification for using his position to influence a decision to invest RM190 million in a company in which he is accused of having an interest.

Azeez was alleged to have directed then TH chief executive officer Tan Sri Ismi Ismail to nominate him as a board member of Perdana Putra Berhad, a subsidiary, and using his position to influence TH’s board members to invest in the said company.

The alleged abuse of power, filed under Section 23-1 of the MACC Act, was said to have been committed on Aug 25, 2014, at Tabung Haji head office on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak here.

Azeez, seen clad in purple police lock up clothing and handcuffed, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial, while asserting that the accusation “is absolutely untrue”.

The prosecution had argued that Azeez should not be allowed bail since he is being charged with a non-bailable offence, but noted that the Court still had the discretion to grant bail.

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