A former minister in his 60s was remanded for five days in Malaysia following an anti-corruption investigation tied to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), according to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed the detention, stating that the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
MACC Remand Order and Investigation Timeline
The remand order was granted by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah on Wednesday following an application by the MACC, and it expires on Sept 6. According to official records, the former minister was detained at about 4.30pm on Tuesday after he turned up at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to have his statement recorded.
This development follows a series of detentions involving former senior figures linked to the pilgrimage fund. Previously, a politician who served as a former TH chairman and a former Treasury secretary-general at the Finance Ministry were remanded for seven days. Both men, in their 60s and holding the titles Datuk Seri and Tan Sri, were detained on Aug 26. A former TH chief executive officer was also previously detained and remanded as part of the ongoing probe.
Broader Scope of the Tabung Haji Anti-Corruption Probe
The anti-graft agency has cast a wide net during the inquiry. Prior to the high-profile arrests, investigators detained several other individuals associated with the institution and related commercial entities. According to investigative disclosures, those detained earlier included a former chief executive officer of a shipping company, a construction company director, a former company director, and four former senior TH management personnel.
The investigation stems directly from issues raised in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji. The RCI was established to examine the management and operations of the pilgrimage fund, scrutinizing allegations concerning its financial position, governance, and investment decisions.
RCI Recommendations and Governance Reforms
The RCI report, completed four years ago and subsequently made public, contains 25 key recommendations. These proposals are designed to improve transparency, professionalism, and institutional governance within TH.
Among the most prominent proposals in the RCI report is a recommendation to bar active politicians from serving on the board of directors. The commission argued that this measure is necessary to prevent political interference in the management of the fund’s assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the former minister remanded by the MACC?
The former minister was remanded for five days in connection with investigations into issues raised in the RCI report on Lembaga Tabung Haji, under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
What legislation governs the current MACC investigation?
According to MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
What are the main goals of the Tabung Haji RCI report?
The RCI report aims to examine management, operations, financial positions, governance, and investment decisions at TH, offering 25 key recommendations to enhance transparency.
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