Former Tabung Haji chairman Abdul Azeez pleads not guilty to using his position to secure a RM193.5 million investment in Putrajaya Perdana Berhad.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was charged at the Sessions Court today with using his position to secure the chairmanship of a company and influencing TH board members to approve a proposed RM193.5 million investment in the company 12 years ago.
Abdul Azeez, who is also the former Baling member of Parliament, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Judge Azura Alwi.
“Understood the charge. The allegation is completely untrue and a trial is requested,” Abdul Azeez said.
According to the charge, Abdul Azeez allegedly used his position as TH chairman to obtain gratification in the form of the chairmanship of Putrajaya Perdana Berhad, with remuneration of RM690,000 annually, as well as the use of a BMW 7 Series car and a permanent driver.
He allegedly instructed then TH chief executive officer Tan Sri Ismee Ismail to propose his name as TH’s representative on the company’s board.
Abdul Azeez was also accused of influencing TH board members during the TH Board of Directors Meeting No. 4/2014 to approve an 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 offence was allegedly committed at the TH Board Meeting Room, Tabung Haji Building, 201 Jalan Tun Razak here, on Aug 25, 2014.
The charge, framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
— More to come
The Sun Malaysia
