No facts favouring prosecution, Azeez Rahim acquitted - AG

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) will not proceed with corruption and money laundering charges against former Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim as there were no testimonies and facts favouring the prosecution.

Attorney General (AG) Idrus Harun said in a statement today that since the filing of charges at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Azeez, through his counsel, submitted several representations to the AGC to have his case withdrawn and all charges dropped.

He said in two letters of representation dated March 11, 2022 and March 16, 2022, the prosecution received six statutory declarations from main prosecution witnesses that gave rise to a complete and thorough investigation by the MACC as there was new evidence that was not considered previously.

He said on Sept 23, 2022, the prosecution requested from the court a discharge not amounting to acquittal against Azeez (above) under Section 254(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code so that further investigation could be conducted and the Sessions Court then allowed Azeez to be discharged not amounting to acquittal.

“The developments in investigations were referred back to the prosecution, which was satisfied that there was no testimony or facts favouring the prosecution.

“On Dec 1, 2022, Azeez, through his counsel, filed for a discharge and acquittal from all charges.

“After the investigation paper was examined, the department agreed not to continue with the prosecution against Azeez and does not object to the application,” the AG said.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Azhar Abdul Hamid today released the former Tabung Haji chairperson after allowing the motion filed by Azeez’s counsel, Amer Hamzah Arshad, to be immediately discharged and acquitted of the charges.

Azeez, 56, faced three counts of receiving bribes totalling RM5.2 million and 10 charges of money laundering totalling RM13.9 million in relation to a highway project in Perak and Kedah.

The Umno man also appealed against the High Court decision that rejected his motion to dismiss all the charges.

On Sept 5, he failed in his appeal to dismiss the three bribery charges, but the court did dismiss four of the 10 money laundering charges.

- Bernama

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