Properties linked to Umno Supreme Council member and pilgrimage fund Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim are currently being investigated by the anti-graft agency.
- RM500k cash seized, along with jewellery and documents
- Investigation for receiving bribes involving granting Tabung Haji projects to contractors
- Chairman of Tabung Haji, which was criticised for “bailing out” 1MDB
It is learnt that a team from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) raided his homes in Subang Jaya and Baling, Kedah, as well as his office in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday (May 22).
It was reported that the operation is handled by the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya and is being assisted by Perlis MACC.
As of midnight, checks at the three premises were still ongoing.
Reportedly, investigators have seized more than half a million ringgit in cash, jewellery and some documents.
The case is being investigated under Section 16 of the MACC Act for receiving bribes involving granting Tabung Haji projects to contractors,” the source said when contacted today.
Yesterday, new MACC Chief Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull in a tell-all press conference revealed that he received threats from a former member of Parliament from the north.
Azeez, who is the Baling MP, retained his seat in the May 9 polls.
Lately, speculation was rife that Azeez would resign from his post just as a couple of other Umno leaders in top positions of key institutions did.
Johor Bahru MP Shahrir Samad had resigned as Felda chairman, while Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokthar Radin had announced he would resign as Felcra chairman at the end of the month.
Azeez was first appointed to Tabung Haji’s board of directors in 2011.
In July 2013, he was appointed as its chairman.
During his time as chairman, Azeez had defended Tabung Haji’s decisions following criticisms that it had “bailed out” 1MDB.
His defence came on the heels of news that Tabung Haji had paid RM2,773 per square foot for a 1.5-acre plot in the Tun Razak Exchange area in Kuala Lumpur, a hefty premium on the RM64psf price at which 1MDB had acquired the land from the federal government.