Former Malaysian religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom has been charged with three counts involving the alleged dishonest disposal of more than RM860 million in funds belonging to Lembaga Tabung Haji.
Jamil Khir, 65, pleaded not guilty to all three charges at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Monday, 14 September.
The charges allege that, while serving as the minister responsible for religious affairs, he dishonestly caused Tabung Haji to dispose of RM860,308,770.51 to Saudi Arabia-based property company Al-Rawda in three transactions between 2015 and 2017.
He has not been convicted of the offences and will contest the charges.
3 Charges Involve RM43 Million, RM288 Million and RM529 Million
According to the charge sheets, the first alleged offence took place on 3 April 2015.
Jamil Khir is accused of causing Tabung Haji to dispose of RM42.94 million to Al-Rawda.
The second charge involves RM288.17 million on 14 December 2016, while the third involves RM529.19 million on 17 August 2017.
All three alleged offences took place at his ministerial offices in Putrajaya.
The combined value is RM860.31 million, or roughly S$268 million.
The charges were brought under Section 403 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which covers dishonest misappropriation or disposal of property.
A conviction under the provision can carry between six months and five years’ imprisonment, as well as a fine and whipping.
Bail Set at RM300,000
Prosecutors asked the court to set bail at RM1 million, pointing to the large amount involved in the case.
Jamil Khir’s lawyers argued for RM300,000, saying bail should be set at an amount sufficient to ensure that he returns to court.
Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad eventually fixed bail at RM300,000 with one surety.
Jamil Khir was also ordered to surrender his passport. The case is scheduled to return to court for mention on 5 November.
He had earlier been detained as part of a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigation linked to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Tabung Haji.
He was remanded for a total of seven days before being released on MACC bail on 8 September.
Deals Were Linked to Hotels for Haj Pilgrims
The Al-Rawda dealings were among the investments highlighted by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Tabung Haji’s management and operations.
The commission recommended forensic audits into 14 investments after examining problems at the pilgrimage fund between 2014 and 2020.
During a parliamentary briefing in August, the Malaysian government said Tabung Haji had entered into long-term arrangements involving four hotels in Makkah and Madinah with Al-Rawda.
After appearing in court on Monday, Jamil Khir said the long-term hotel strategy during his tenure was intended to secure accommodation at better rates and reduce the cost of performing the haj.
He said he would defend himself in court and seek to clear his name through the judicial process.
