Ex-Tabung Haji chairman trial postponed to make way for parliament sitting

The corruption trial of former Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and his brother Datuk Abdul Latif which was scheduled to start today has been postponed to tomorrow.

This followed an application by Abdul Azeez’s lawyer, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, who informed the court that his client, who is Baling Member of Parliament, had to attend parliament sitting for the tabling of the Temporary Measures for Government Financing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Bill 2020 by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

He told the court that the attendance of parliamentarians was compulsory.

“My client has to be in Parliament at 11.30 am for the tabling of the Bill,” the lawyer told Judge Azura Alwi, who then adjourned the trial to tomorrow.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Aslinda Ahad did not object to it. Abdul Azeez and Abdul Latif were present in court.

The hearing had been set for today and tomorrow, before the next trial date on Sept 7.

It is understood that nine witnesses will be called by the prosecution to take the stand tomorrow.

Abdul Azeez is facing three charges of receiving bribes totalling RM5.2 million in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah, as well as nine charges of money laundering, involving almost RM140 million.

The charges for bribery were allegedly committed at the CIMB Bank branch at Menara UAB, Jalan Tun Perak, here on Dec 8, 2010, and at Affin Bank Berhad, Setiawalk, Persiaran Wawasan, Pusat Bandar Puchong, in Petaling, Selangor on June 13, 2017 and April 10, 2018.

On the money laundering charges, Abdul Azeez was alleged to have committed the offences in the Klang Valley between March 8, 2010 and Aug 30, 2018.

The corruption charges were framed under Section 16(a)(A) of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, while the money laundering charges were made under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Abdul Latif, 62, represented by lawyer Fudhail Zulaini, is accused of abetting Abdul Azeez who allegedly received RM4 million from Mohammad Redzuan as gratification to help Syarikat Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd to secure a road project through limited tender from the Works Ministry.

The project involved the Pantai Baru Coastal Expressway, upgrading works of Federal Road FT005 (Teluk Intan to Kampung Lekir, Perak) worth RM644,480.

Both offences were allegedly committed at the Affin Bank Berhad, Setiawalk, Persiaran Wawasan, Pusat Bandar Puchong, Petaling, Selangor between June 18, 2017 and April 10, 2018.

The charges were made under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 28 (1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009.

-- BERNAMA