Former Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has denied a corruption charge involving a RM193.5 million investment in Putrajaya Perdana Berhad, insisting the allegation against him is completely untrue.
The 60-year-old former Baling MP pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read before Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi on Wednesday.
“I understand the charge. The statement regarding the corruption case is completely untrue and I want to be tried,” he said while standing in the dock in a purple police lock-up shirt and handcuffs.
During the bail hearing, his lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad expressed disappointment over the prosecution’s proposal for RM1 million bail with two local sureties who were not family members.
Amer argued that Abdul Azeez posed no flight risk and said there was no evidence suggesting his client would fail to attend court proceedings.
“I am disappointed with the million-ringgit bail amount, considering my client has always cooperated well with the authorities since investigations began in 2017,” he said.
The defence proposed RM100,000 bail with one Malaysian surety, including a family member, and said it was prepared to accept a requirement for Abdul Azeez to report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) every three or four months.
The prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib, had sought RM1 million bail with two local sureties, along with conditions for Abdul Azeez to surrender his passport and report to the MACC every three months.
After hearing both sides, Judge Azura allowed Abdul Azeez to be released on RM450,000 bail with one local surety. He was also ordered to report to the MACC every three months.
The prosecution was also represented by lawyer Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Ramat.
The charge relates to an alleged abuse of position involving a RM193.5 million investment in Putrajaya Perdana Berhad, which allegedly took place 12 years ago.
