Former Minister To Be Charged Next Monday In TH RCI Probe — MACC

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- A former minister will be charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court next Monday as part of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) probe arising from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the commission had recommended three charges against the individual under Section 403 of the Penal Code for dishonest misappropriation of property.

Speaking at a special press conference at the MACC headquarters today, Abd Halim said the former minister was also linked to assets in Saudi Arabia.

He said five people had been charged so far in the TH RCI probe: a former deputy general manager of construction and a former security and health manager at TH Properties Sdn Bhd, a former Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman, Alam Maritim Sdn Bhd's chief executive officer, and a former TH chief operating officer.

In addition, of the 14 investigation papers opened by the MACC previously, six have been completed, with two leading to charges while four others were classified as no further action (NFA).

He said the remaining eight investigation papers were MACC initiatives stemming from the findings of the TH RCI report, with the commission recommending investigations into investments found to be suspicious and unsatisfactory.

"So far, we have recommended three, including the one to be charged on Monday. The rest are still in progress because they involve foreign entities in Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

"It takes time because we have to go through the mutual legal assistance (MLA) process, obtain documents from overseas parties and record statements," he explained.

In a related development, Abd Halim denied claims that a senior UMNO leader would be called to give evidence before the commission after the party’s general assembly next week.

It was previously reported in the media that another senior UMNO leader was expected to be called by the MACC next week to assist in a case linked to the TH RCI report.

-- BERNAMA