The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission arrested a male former minister in his 60s on September 1, following his arrival at agency headquarters in Putrajaya. Investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009 regarding the Lembaga Tabung Haji Royal Commission of Inquiry findings, the suspect faces a remand hearing.
The anti-graft agency executed the detention at approximately 4:30 p.m. after the former official turned up to record his statement at the Putrajaya headquarters.
Section 16(a)(A) Investigation and Impending Remand
Investigators are probing the suspect under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which addresses the taking or seeking of a bribe in exchange for favoring someone in a deal or transaction. Conviction carries severe penalties:
- Up to 20 years in prison under Section 24 of the same Act.
- A fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification involved, or RM10,000, whichever amount is higher.
The agency scheduled the suspect to appear before the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court for a remand application. Official reporting on social media channels specified that the inquiry into the former minister relates to a hotel lease in Saudi Arabia.
Widening Inquiries Stemming from the RCI Report
This high-profile detention represents the most senior former official arrested to date in the widening probe into irregularities in the fund. The RCI was established to examine the management and operations of TH, including allegations concerning its financial position, governance and investment decisions. Its findings and recommendations have since been referred to the relevant authorities for further action. Before this, MACC detained seven people comprising a shipping company chief executive officer, two company directors and four former members of TH’s senior management.
The inquiry examined the management and operations of Lembaga Tabung Haji. The MACC formed a special investigation team to scrutinise the findings, including TH’s investments, agreement documentation, contracts, and meeting minutes.
High-Profile Detentions and Legal Responses
The latest arrest follows a busy week of enforcement actions by anti-corruption investigators. Prior to this detention, authorities detained a former chief executive of Lembaga Tabung Haji for seven days as the MACC intensified its investigation into alleged wrongdoing. Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah issued the remand order at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court after allowing an application by MACC. The former CEO arrived at the court at 9.38am in a black sports utility vehicle, appearing calm, wearing an orange shirt bearing the words ‘Lokap SPRM’ and handcuffed as he was escorted into the courtroom.
Other senior figures faced similar legal pressures in late August. A former Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman and a former Treasury secretary-general at the Ministry of Finance were reportedly released from MACC custody on September 1 after being remanded on August 27. A source reportedly said investigators had completed recording statements from the two men, who are in their 60s and carry the honorifics “Datuk Seri” and “Tan Sri”. The politician and former TH chairman and the former Finance Ministry official were arrested at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on August 26. The case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for using one’s office or position to solicit gratification. The remand order was issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah after she allowed an application made by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Peguam Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Rahmat represented the former TH chairman, while Datuk Seri K Kumaraendran and Lavinia Kumaraendran represented the former Treasury secretary-general. The two individuals arrived at 9.30am on Thursday.
Official Statements
On Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported as saying that investigations into the issues raised in the TH RCI report would continue to ensure the country does not continue to suffer losses.
