The Umno Supreme Council member is the highest-profile politician to be charged so far in the fallout from a royal inquiry into Tabung Haji
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenIman Muttaqin YusofPublished: 1:35pm, 9 Sep 2026Former Malaysian pilgrimage fund chairman Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to abusing his position to secure a lucrative corporate post and influence a 193.5 million ringgit (US$47.5 million) investment by the fund.Azeez, 60, a veteran Umno Supreme Council member, is the highest-profile politician to be charged so far in the fallout from a royal inquiry into the state-run savings fund Tabung Haji.Wearing a purple police lock-up uniform and handcuffed as he stood in the dock, Azeez said: “The allegation in this corruption case is completely untrue, and I ask to be tried.”
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court appearance comes as the former ruling party opens its annual congress after recent state-election gains.
Azeez is accused of using his position as Lembaga Tabung Haji head in August 2014 to become chairman of construction company Putrajaya Perdana. The post, which paid 690,000 ringgit a year, came with a BMW 7 Series and a full-time driver.
Prosecutors allege he instructed then Tabung Haji chief executive Ismee Ismail to nominate him as the fund’s representative at Putrajaya Perdana and persuaded its board to approve an investment of up to 193.5 million ringgit, about 30 per cent of its existing issued share capital, despite having an interest in the deal.
