Several to be charged in Tabung Haji RCI probe

PUTRAJAYA: Legal counsel for former Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom stated today that his client had consistently assisted investigators since 2018. Hamidi Mohd Noh highlighted that Jamil had never failed to provide his cooperation throughout the investigation. The lawyer addressed reporters following the remand proceedings at the Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur.

On September 6, the investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will continue, with Jamil remaining in custody until then. He was arrested on August 31 at the MACC headquarters after providing a statement regarding allegations connected to hotel leasing in Saudi Arabia and concerns raised in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji (TH).

The RCI report, released on July 29, exposed shortcomings in the management and operations of the pilgrimage fund from 2014 to 2020. Under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, conviction for this offence can result in up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of at least RM10,000, or five times the value of the gratification involved, whichever is greater.