Azeez fails in bid to quash money laundering, corruption charges
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KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has dismissed Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim’s bid to quash his corruption and money laundering charges amounting to RM144.5 million.
Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin turned down Azeez’s striking out application on grounds the charges were not defective.
“The accused failed to show how he was prejudiced and could not present his defence,” he said.
“It is premature at this stage for the court to decide on the charges.”
Azeez, the former Tabung Haji chairman, has been slapped with three corruption charges amounting to RM5.2 million and nine money laundering charges amounting to RM139.3 million.
He is said to have received the RM5.2 million from Mohammad Redzuan Mohanan Abdullah, the director of Syarikat Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd, in the Klang Valley between December 2010 and April 2018.
He is also accused of receiving RM139.3 million from four companies – Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd, Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd, Pintas Utama Sdn Bhd and AVP Engineering Sdn Bhd.
He contended that the charges were done in bad faith, but the prosecution argued that the striking out bid was premature and an abuse of the court process.
The judge said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had investigated Azeez thoroughly.
“This fact has rebutted his contention that the corruption and money laundering charges were mala fide.
“The accused also contended that the charges and present case were not related to the Tabung Haji investigation. To this, the court has to say the AG (attorney-general) has discretion to commence any criminal proceedings against the accused, under any law he deems proper.”
Azeez’s lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, said they will file an appeal against the dismissal of their bid to quash the corruption and money laundering charges today.
Azeez’s brother Latif, who was initially charged with abetting him on two counts of obtaining a RM4 million bribe – part of the RM5.2 million allegedly received – has been given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal last month.
