Lawyer denies govt forfeited funds in Abdul Azeez family’s Tabung Haji accounts

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — A lawyer for former Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has reportedly denied claims that the government forfeited RM18 million held in TH accounts belonging to his family members.

According to New Straits Times, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad also rejected claims that savings belonging to Azeez’s wife and children were linked to TH funds, saying such allegations — which were posted on social media — were not related to the criminal charge faced by his client.

He reportedly said in a press statement that Azeez was not charged with taking, misappropriating or misusing the RM193.5 million mentioned in the case for himself or his family.

Instead, Amer reportedly said the charge read out at the Sessions Court on September 8 alleged that Azeez used his position as TH chairman to obtain the chairmanship of Putrajaya Perdana Bhd, which brought benefits including annual remuneration, a vehicle and a permanent driver.

“The RM193.5 million mentioned in the charge is the value of TH’s investment in Putrajaya Perdana Bhd and not money alleged to have been given to, taken by or deposited into the personal accounts of our client or his family members,” Amer was quoted as saying.

He added that the family’s TH accounts had previously been investigated by the authorities, but the savings had never been forfeited by the government or found to be misappropriated TH funds or proceeds of illegal activities.

Amer also reportedly said the Royal Commission of Inquiry into TH had made no finding that Azeez had taken or misappropriated TH funds for himself or his family, adding that Azeez has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He said Azeez and his family reserved the right to take legal action against anyone who published or spread false, misleading or defamatory statements over the matter.

The charge against Azeez relates to an alleged offence at a TH board meeting on August 25, 2014, and was framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine upon conviction.

His prosecution is among several cases involving former TH officials following the release in July of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the pilgrimage fund’s management, which flagged a number of problematic investments, including the Putrajaya Perdana deal.