TABUNG HAJI : BEHIND THE VEIL

Everyone in the Tabung Haji group are chairman or directors in other GLCs and PLCs. Is there a lack of credible people in Malaysia that the same individuals are given everything?

Tajuddin Rosli

With the Tabung Haji and 1MDB scandal that has surfaced all of a sudden, I am wondering how many more scandals are there that we are not aware of. Instead of bringing the people responsible for the transaction to the prosecution box, the authorities seem to be more interested in investigating who is the ‘whistle blower’.

While we understand how serious the offence is to leak confidential documents, I wonder what else would have transpired if this information was not leaked? The whistle blower in my opinion is a national hero because he exposed the perpetrators once again.

Several names of individuals have surfaced that hold prominent position in both Tabung Haji and 1MDB. When outrageous sales and purchases occur involving companies whose board of directors are the same people, it is beyond reasonable doubt that there is a conflict of interest. Let us look at some of the board members of Tabung Haji and see what positions they hold in other companies/organisations. (Table 1.0 below)

There are many more that have not been mentioned, as this article would be pages long otherwise. Everyone in the Tabung Haji group are chairman or directors in other GLCs and PLCs. Is there a lack of credible people in Malaysia that the same individuals are given everything? Is it humanely possible to play an effective role in all the companies?

While I do not deny that some of them have credible qualifications, possess vast experience and have received international recognitions, it is still no way possible for any one person to perform exceptional responsibilities in so many different companies simultaneously. There can only be one simple explanation for this: Corruption, Cronyism and Favouritism.

I find it ironic that so many wrongdoings are emerging of late. Everything is being linked to Najib and every issue is a reason to call for his head. I am trying to look outside the box and wonder if there is a mastermind behind all the problems. Is there a king-maker instructing his pawns to move in a specific direction to check-mate the country’s premier?

Is This The First Time Tabung Haji Got Involved In A ‘Bail-Out’?

In 1998, under the chairmanship of the late Tan Sri Ahmad Razali Mohamed Ali (brother-in-law of the then-prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad), Tabung Haji overpaid hundreds of millions of ringgit for the purchase of two buildings (TH Perdana and TH Selborn). Tabung Haji paid RM 168.46 million more for these two properties than the value it is worth. TH Perdana was bought from Maju Holdings Sdn. Bhd, a company the Wall Street Journal described as “unprofitable”. The over-paying by Tabung Haji was clearly mentioned in the 2003 A-G’s report.

Earlier in October 1996, Tabung Haji invested RM 67 million for a project that almost immediately ran into trouble. The project is now abandoned.

All this was not blown-out then in the media like today because Tun Mahathir controlled the media and press from publishing anything that could affect his position.

Datuk Abdul Azeez

Datuk Hj. Abdul Azeez Bin Abdul Rahim who is an Indian Muslim, is a MP for Baling, Kedah. His rise to prominence occurred in the late 80′s and 90′s. Not very long ago when Bukit Lada assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Lebai Sudin openly challenged Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir to resign from his MB’s post if he does not support the leadership of Najib, it was Azeez along with a few others who jumped into the fray and condemned Ahmad Lebai for his action.

Azeez is a well-known boot-licker. During Mahathir’s tenure, he grew exponentially. While he is frequently seen apple-polishing Najib and wife, I am sure there is much more to the story behind the scene. Being from Kedah, he is said to be a close ally of Mahathir’s family and keeps their relationship low.

Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar

Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah is also an Indian Muslim who sits on the board of directors for so many companies. During his tenure in EPU, he served in various capacities in the areas of urban development, energy and privatisation. He sits on the board of Petronas and Felda too (We all know what Petronas and Felda is to Mahathir). Irwan Serigar grew in the public sector under his mentor, Mahathir. Rumour has it that even Irwan “gained a lot” during Mahathir’s time.

Tan Sri Syed Anwar Jamalullail

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Syed Anwar Jamalullail is the Chairman of Investment Panel of Lembaga Tabung Haji since 2005. This name if you remember appeared in a civil suit in 2005 between Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin (ex-MRCB chief) and Datuk Khalid Ahmad (ex-Realmild director). He was involved in a land deal with Rahman where Mahathir was also allegedly involved. The Realmild fiasco where Syed Anwar was also part of involved Mahathir and his allies like Datuk Kadir Jasin, Datuk Ahmad Nazri Abdullah, Mohd Noor Mutalib and Khalid. The Realmild scandal made all those involved from Mahathir’s camp multi-millionaires.

Tan Seri Zainol Mahmood

Tan Seri Zainol Mahmood was appointed as the Chairman and Director of Lembaga Tabung Haji by Mahathir in the year 2000. Prior to that, in 1992 Zainal was appointed as an Executive Chairman of Pos Malaysia by Mahathir as well. He also holds the position of chairman and director or Urusharta Cemerlang Sdn Bhd. Zainol is a known crony of Mahathir and has been involved in various money scandals in both Post Malaysia and Urusharta just like most of Mahathir’s other conglomerates.

Are all fingers pointing to Mahathir?

Magnifying the individuals involved, most of them have a link with Mahathir. I am wondering if Mahathir is behind the current Tabung Haji scandal as well. Knowing the debt-ridden state of 1MDB, the idea of selling land to Tabung Haji was floated in. There is no better and quicker way to make good money through a business dealing especially when interest payment is up on the head. The same people who are sitting in both 1MDB and Tabung Haji expedited the entire process. The deal occurred at lightning speed and lightning is always accompanied by thunder. The deal went through, documents were leaked and the rest is history…

What next, Mahathir? Plotting the next move of 1MDB borrowing money from EPF or has that also already been done and waiting to explode? 

TABLE 1.0

No	Name	Positions
1	Datuk Hj. Abdul Azeez Bin Abdul Rahim	- Chairman board of Directors at Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH)- Director of TH Real Estate - MP of Baling, Kedah - Member of UMNO Supreme Council - Chairman of Seni Jaya Corporation Berhad - Director of Metro Koats Technology Sdn. Bhd - Executive Director of AVP Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd - Non-Independent & Non-Executive Director at Brahim’s Holdings Berhad - Non Independent & Non-Executive Director of Theta Edge Berhad
2	Tan Sri Ismee Ismail	- Group Managing Director and CEO of Lembaga Tabung Haji- Director of TH Plantations Berhad - Member of The Board of Directors at 1MDB - Director of Techsteel Corporation Berhad - Director of TH Technologies Sdn Bhd - Chairman of Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad - Non-Independent & Non-Executive Director of BIMB Holdings Berhad - Non Independent Non Executive Director of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad - Director of Johor Corporation - Non-Independent & Non-Executive Director of KFC Holdings Malaysia Bhd
3	Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah	- Board Member of Lembaga Tabung Haji- Member of Panel of Advisors 1MDB - Secretary General of Treasury, Ministry of Finance (MOF) - Board Member of Malaysian Airline System Berhad (MAS) - Board Member of Petrolium Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) - Board Member of Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) - Board Member of MASS Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MRT Corp) - Board Member of Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) - Board Member of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) - Board Member of Razak School of Government (RSOG) - Board Member of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) - Chairman of Retirement Fund Incorporated - Chairman of Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia - Chairman of Prokhas Sdn. Bhd. - Chairman of Cyberview Sdn. Bhd.
5	Datuk Johan Abdullah	- Deputy CEO Lembaga Tabung Haji- Chairman of 1MDB Subsidiary Edra Global - Non Independent Non Executive Director of BIMB Holdings Berhad - Director of Bank Islam - Board member of BIMB subsidiaries Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad, BIMB Securities Sdn Bhd, BIMB Securities (Holdings) Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Al-Ijarah Sdn Bhd.
6	Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Abdul Samad Haji Alias	- Independent Non-Executive Director TH Plantations Berhad- Board Member of Lembaga Tabung Haji - Member of Tabung Haji Investment Panel - Member of 1MDB Board of Advisers - Non Executive Director of Tadmax Resources Berhad - Chairman of the Board of Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd - Chairman & Director of Malaysia Deposit Insurance Corporation - Board Member of IGB Corporation Berhad - Board Member of Malaysia Mining Corporation Berhad - Board of Director Konsortium Rangkaian Serantau Sdn. Bhd (KRS) - Chairman and director of Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad - Chairman of Board of Directors BPMB ­ - Chairman of PLC Credit & Factoring Sdn Bhd - Chairman of Global Maritime Ventures Bhd - Chairman of Pembangunan Leasing and Corporation Sdn Bhd - Chairman BI Credit & Leasing Bhd