KUALA LUMPUR – Former Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim today claimed trial in the Sessions Court to charges of abusing his position to secure a chairmanship at a company and persuading TH board members to approve a proposed RM193.5 million investment in the company 12 years ago.
Azeez, 59, who is also a former Baling Member of Parliament, entered the plea after the charges were read out before Judge Azura Alwi.
“I understand the charges. The charges are completely untrue, and I claim trial,” Azeez said.
Earlier, Azeez and two former senior TH officers were remanded for two days to assist with investigations into a fraud case related to TH hibah payments.
According to the charge sheet, Azeez is alleged to have used his position as TH chairman to obtain gratification in the form of an appointment as chairman of Putrajaya Perdana Berhad, with annual remuneration of RM690,000, as well as the use of a BMW 7 Series and a permanent driver.
For this purpose, he is alleged to have instructed Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, who was TH chief executive officer at the time, to propose his name as TH’s representative on the board of Putrajaya Perdana Berhad.
Azeez is also accused of persuading TH board members during the TH Board of Directors’ Meeting No. 4/2014 to approve a proposed investment of up to RM193.5 million, involving up to 30 per cent of the existing issued share capital in Putrajaya Perdana Berhad, in which he had an interest.
The alleged offence was committed in the Board Meeting Room of the Tabung Haji Building, 201 Jalan Tun Razak, here on Aug 25, 2014.
The charge was brought under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. – September 9, 2026