COMMENT | When a man charged with 47 counts of corruption and money laundering is given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal after the defence is called, while another walks away after paying a RM10 million compound despite facing 26 money laundering charges, it is hard to surprise Malaysians anymore.

Nor were they amused when the MACC released audio recordings of conversations allegedly involving leaks from the Attorney-General’s Chambers to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, alongside other intercepted calls linked to investigations into the 1MDB and SRC International scandals.

So when the royal commission of inquiry report on Tabung Haji was released last month, few were surprised when its former chairperson, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, whose voice featured in one of those recordings, thumped his chest and played the “I don’t know” card.

In his defence, Azeez claimed he held only a non-executive role during his 2013-2018 tenure, insisting he had no absolute authority over the pilgrimage fund’s operations.

He stressed that he was not involved in day-to-day operations or investment decisions, saying all proposals were vetted by management before being presented to the board.

“I want to tell everyone that...