Cops probing Tabung Haji over alleged misappropriation of funds

Tabung Haji claims there were ‘misrepresentations and withholding of material information’ on its disposal of shares in an Indonesian plantation firm in 2012.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police today confirmed that investigations are being carried out into the alleged misappropriation of funds by Tabung Haji (TH).

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the probe was being conducted by the commercial crimes department.

“They are investigating the case. I have yet to receive full information on this,” he told reporters in a press conference after a ceremony to present police and investigation diplomas to Unikop College students at the police institute here today.

Last week, TH filed two reports with the police, one of which named former TH chairman Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, former TH CEOs Ismee Ismail and Johan Abdullah, and chief financial officer Rozaida Omar, all of whom were trustees of the Tabung Haji Foundation at the time of the alleged incident.

TH said the reports were the outcome of an internal investigation of previous transactions by the new management which took over the board in July this year.

The second report named Ismee, legal adviser Hazlina Mohd Khalid, and senior general manager of corporate services and real estate Rifina Md Ariff in relation to a 2012 land matter.

TH alleged in the report that there were “misrepresentations and withholding of material information” on TH’s disposal of its shares in an Indonesian plantation firm in 2012.

Fuzi also spoke on other matters, including the permission granted by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to Umno and PAS to hold their anti-ICERD rally this Saturday.

“We acknowledge the permission granted by DBKL, and we will do our part in monitoring.

“We will make the necessary preparations to ensure the rally follows the rule of law, and does not cause any unrest or jeopardise public safety.

“Police will also issue a letter allowing the organisation of the rally, either today or tomorrow, to organisers of the rally,” he said.

On the possibility that the rally may get out of control, Fuzi said police would closely monitor the gathering, and expressed hope that there would be no unrest.

“We have given a warning to the organisers to adhere to the rule of law,” he added.

On whether Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waytha Moorthy had been questioned by the police, Fuzi said this would be done today, if there were no changes in plans. -FMT