June 29 set for hearing of govt’s RM16m forfeiture application

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has set June 29 to hear the government’s application to forfeit almost RM16 million from the wife and children of former Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and their company.

Deputy public prosecutor Aslinda Ahad said the date was fixed by Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin during the case proceedings yesterday.

Meanwhile, she said Maybank Islamic Bhd had come forward as a third party to contest the forfeiture, which was filed under Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

She said the bank, which was represented by lawyer Poh Choo Hoe, wanted to contest the forfeiture of a shoplot near Sunway Geo Avenue.

“They will file an affidavit to the court soon,” Aslinda said when met after the proceedings.

On Dec 18 last year, the same court rejected the respondents’ application to postpone the forfeiture suit pending the disposal of Azeez’s ongoing corruption case at the Sessions Court.

The court said it was not an issue since Azeez did not file an affidavit to show that it would prejudice the defence in his criminal case.

Jamil said the forfeiture application was regarding the assets, while the case in the Sessions Court was in relation to the former chairman.

In the forfeiture suit, the government named Khadijah Mohd Noor (Azeez’s wife) and Azeez’s four children — Mohamed Khairul Anwar, Mohamed Khairul Azman, Khaleeda Azwa, Khaleeda Azeera — and Azeera Management

Consultants (M) Sdn Bhd, a company owned by the family, as the respondents.

The government is seeking to forfeit money from the personal accounts of the family and the bank account of the company.

Azeez is currently on trial for three counts of bribery involving RM5.2 million linked to road projects and nine counts of money laundering involving nearly RM140 million.