‘No mercy for Tabung Haji fund embezzlers’

KUALA LUMPUR: Those found guilty of misappropriating funds, especially if it involves the people’s money, will not be spared, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

His comments were in reference to police reports lodged by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) against the fund board’s former top officials and staff.

“If the parties are found guilty, they must face justice to restore the people’s confidence in TH,” Dr Mujahid said in a statement yesterday.

TH on Friday lodged two police reports against former chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, former chief executive officers Tan Sri Ismee Ismail and Datuk Seri Johan Abdullah, as well as senior management staff.

The senior staff in question are chief operating officer Datuk Adi Azuan Abdul Ghani, chief financial officer Datuk Rozaida Omar, legal adviser Hazlina Mohd Khalid and senior general manager for corporate services and real estate Rifina Md Ariff.

The first report involves Yayasan Tabung Haji’s 2017 programme, where funds totalling over RM22mil were allegedly disbursed for activities with political inclinations.

The second report against Ismee, Hazlina and Rifina relates to alleged misrepresentations and withholding of material information involving TH’s 2012 sale of 95% shareholdings in PT TH Indo Plantations held by two of its subsidiaries – namely TH Indopalms Sdn Bhd and TH Indo Industries Sdn Bhd – to PT Borneo Pacific for US$910mil (RM3.8bil).