Former Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was charged today with allegedly abusing his position to secure the chairmanship of a company that came with an annual remuneration of RM690,000, more than a decade ago.
Azeez, 60, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before Judge Azura Alwi.
“I understand the charge. The allegation is completely untrue and I claim trial,” he said from the dock while wearing a purple police lock-up shirt and handcuffs.
According to the charge, Azeez allegedly used his position as TH chairman to secure an appointment as chairman of Putrajaya Perdana Bhd, which carried an annual remuneration of RM690,000, along with the use of a BMW 7 Series and a full-time driver.
He is accused of instructing TH chief executive officer Tan Sri Ismee Ismail to nominate him as TH’s representative in Putrajaya Perdana Bhd and persuade TH board members to approve a proposal to invest up to RM193.5 million in the company.
The investment, representing up to 30 per cent of Putrajaya Perdana Bhd’s existing issued share capital, was allegedly approved during TH Board of Directors Meeting No. 4/2014 (309), despite Azeez having an interest in the company.
The alleged offence took place at the TH Boardroom, TH Building, Jalan Tun Razak, on Aug 25, 2014.
Azeez, the former Baling MP, was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the value of the gratification involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
