Former Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister Pleads Not Guilty in Tabung Haji Fund Case
2 sources across 2 countries · Hong Kong · Malaysia
Who reported this
- South China Morning Post
- Malaysiakini
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- Centre-right
- Right
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Former religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to three charges of dishonestly causing Tabung Haji to dispose of RM860.3 million in funds. The charges relate to three separate transfers made between April 2015 and August 2017 to Al-Rawda Investment for Real Estate Development and Projects Management Co Ltd, a Saudi property management firm. Judge Rosli Ahmad set bail at RM300,000 and ordered the confiscation of Jamil's passport. This bail amount was lower than the RM1 million requested by the prosecution.
The legal action follows a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report into the management of the haj fund between 2014 and 2020. The report identified 14 troubled investments, including the dealings with Al-Rawda. According to the RCI, Tabung Haji paid Al-Rawda for long-term leases on four hotels in Mecca and Madinah, but Al-Rawda later defaulted on payments. Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan previously stated in parliament that such investments led to nearly 13 billion ringgit in losses.
Jamil defended his actions to reporters, stating that the long-term leasing strategy was intended to lock in better rates and reduce the cost of performing the haj for pilgrims. He expressed his intention to clear his name in court. Jamil is the fourth individual charged in connection with the scandal following the RCI report. Other charged individuals include former Tabung Haji chairperson Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, former deputy general manager of construction Tengku Kamarolhisham Tengku Kamaruddin, and former safety and health officer Nasahruddin Ahmad.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These reports focused on the specific legal charges, the defendant's personal defense regarding haj costs, and the broader context of government accountability.
- Centre-right
- This report framed the event as part of a larger financial scandal, emphasizing the total losses to the fund as reported by the Finance Minister.
Sources
- Centre-left Malaysiakini: I was just trying to lower haj costs, Jamil Khir says after being charged
- Centre-left Malaysiakini: Jamil Khir pleads not guilty to RM860.3m Tabung Haji misappropriation charges
- Centre-right South China Morning Post: Malaysia haj fund scandal: ex-religious minister denies role in US$211 million transfer
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.