Why was I not charged, asks Azeez after Dr M calls him Tabung Haji 'robber'
PARLIAMENT | Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) today blasted Dr Mahathir Mohamad (IND-Langkawi) for accusing him of robbing Tabung Haji but never bringing any charges against him during the previous Pakatan Harapan government's term.
"For Langkawi's information, not a single charge has been brought against me over Tabung Haji.
"It's been two years and...
PARLIAMENT | Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) today blasted Dr Mahathir Mohamad (IND-Langkawi) for accusing him of robbing Tabung Haji but never bringing any charges against him during the previous Pakatan Harapan government's term.
"For Langkawi's information, not a single charge has been brought against me over Tabung Haji.
"It's been two years and there was not a single case. Go check your facts, sir.
"Langkawi used to point at my face and say 'there he is, the Tabung Haji robber and swindler is there, I was there.' But the fact is no charges were filed," Abdul Azeez said when debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He lashed out at Mahathir and shut him down after the former prime minister interjected and asked him to instead air his defence in court.
He then challenged Mahathir's lieutenant Maszlee Malik (IND-Simpang Renggam) to look on the internet and prove he had been charged for any offences related to the pilgrimage fund.
The Baling MP is facing 13 counts of graft and money laundering charges related to road projects in Perak and Kedah.
The prosecution had not brought any Tabung Haji-related charges against him up until the Harapan government under Mahathir's premiership collapsed in February, ending its 22 months in power.
Abdul Azeez (photo), in his speech earlier, had spiritedly maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing during his tenure as the Tabung Haji chairperson from 2013 to 2018.
An independent review by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2018 had found that Tabung Haji's liabilities exceeded the value of its assets, which meant that it could not issue any dividends in accordance with the Tabung Haji Act 1995.
However, the previous Tabung Haji management had allegedly hidden the losses it suffered so as to show a surplus, which would allow them to pay out dividends.
Bank Negara had in 2016 also warned about the growing deficit.
Abdul Azeez acknowledged that Bank Negara had issued a warning to Tabung Haji but maintained that the pilgrimage fund does not come under Bank Negara's jurisdiction and does not operate as a bank.
He maintained that the Tabung Haji board has the power to decide on the dividend it wishes to pay out.
Under the Harapan government, Tabung Haji transferred its loss-making ventures to the Minister of Finance Incorporated to restore its surplus and gain the ability to pay out dividends.
Abdul Azeez, at the time, branded the asset transfer as "selling" Tabung Haji.
Meanwhile, he also panned Mahathir for complaining in a speech earlier that the current government was persecuting the opposition.
He accused Mahathir of doing the same when BN was in the opposition.
"I was locked up for 11 nights, my mother's account was frozen, my home was raided, my children's accounts are still frozen. They (Harapan government) are only allowed to do so for one year but it's been two years.
"This is the cartoon government under Langkawi, the double standards," he said.
Maszlee (photo) later interjected, stating that he wanted to take on Abdul Azeez's earlier challenge but when Abdul Azeez gave way to him to speak, Maszlee said he wanted to let Mahathir speak on his behalf.
Maszlee: Just now Baling challenged me to interject.
Abdul Azeez: Yes, about that case.
Maszlee: I want to give my right (to speak) to Langkawi.
Abdul Azeez: That cannot be. This is not to pass the baton. I am (only) giving (way) to you.
Maszlee: You must be a gentleman.
Abdul Azeez: No, no. Yang di-Pertua, this is a waste of time. I have information that Harapan was lying.
Maszlee: If Baling is a man then he should face Tun.
Abdul Azeez: No, I do not give (way).
In concluding his speech, Abdul Azeez called for a royal commission of inquiry into Tabung Haji.
According to parliamentary debate convention, parties can assign their chosen MPs to speak and they cannot be interrupted unless given permission by the speaker.
However, when Maria Chin Abdullah (PKR-Petaling Jaya) debated the royal address for the opposition later, she offered her time for Mahathir to speak so that he could respond to Abdul Azeez.
Mahathir then told Abdul Azeez that if believed Harapan had committed wrongdoings with regard to Tabung Haji, he should lodge a police report.
"If we only explain in the Dewan, the impact is limited as nothing can be done.
"Even listening is difficult, as he speaks so loudly that my ear is numb," Mahathir chided.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.