Tabung Haji: Three more remanded to assist MACC probe, cops open 5 investigation papers

MACC has remanded three more individuals as investigations intensify into alleged misconduct uncovered by a special task force reviewing the findings of the royal commission of inquiry into Tabung Haji.

The three men - a deputy general manager in construction, an occupational safety and health manager, and a project director of a property company owned by a statutory body - were detained over allegations that they conspired to misappropriate about RM450,000 in penalty notice charges.

The suspects, all in their 50s, were brought before the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court today, where magistrate Ezrene Zakariah granted the MACC’s application to remand them for five days until Aug 9.

An MACC source said the trio were arrested at the agency’s headquarters at about 6pm yesterday.

“Preliminary investigations found that the three suspects conspired to commit the offence between 2017 and 2019,” the source said, according to Bernama.

The arrests come days after the declassified RCI report on Tabung Haji was made public on the Islamic Development Department’s website on July 29, shedding light on alleged governance and financial management issues at the pilgrimage fund.

MACC chief commissioner Abd Halim Aman, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said the case was being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

Former CEO, CFO arrested

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that MACC arrested the former chief executive officer and former chief financial officer of a company owned by a statutory body over alleged abuse of power involving the acquisition of shares in two plantation companies worth RM370 million.

An MACC source said the two suspects, aged 68 and 60, were arrested at about 6.30pm yesterday after they arrived at the agency’s Putrajaya headquarters to have their statements recorded.

“However, both were subsequently released due to health reasons and will return to the MACC headquarters at 10am today to continue giving their statements,” the source said.

Meanwhile, police have opened five investigation papers after receiving nine reports from Tabung Haji, its subsidiaries and members of the public relating to commercial crime cases, including issues highlighted in the RCI report.

Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Rusdi Isa said investigators are now working to record statements from witnesses locally and overseas, while also gathering relevant documents to assist the probe.

“Police are committed to ensuring that every investigation is conducted independently, transparently, professionally and in accordance with the law.

“Any party found to be involved in any criminal acts will face appropriate action under the provisions of the law,” he said.

Rusdi also urged the public not to speculate or spread unverified information while investigations are ongoing.

“Any statement or dissemination of information that is not based on facts can not only mislead the public but also potentially affect the investigation process,” he said.

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