Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Former Malaysian Minister Denies RM860.3m Tabung Haji Misappropriation Charges
Ex-minister Jamil Khir has pleaded not guilty to charges of dishonestly persuading the Islamic pilgrimage fund to invest funds in a Saudi Arabian real estate company. The case centres on alleged financial irregularities involving one of Malaysia's largest state-owned institutions.
LSN Malaysia ·
Jamil Khir Baharom entered his plea in court on charges related to the misappropriation of RM860.3 million from Tabung Haji, the government body that manages savings for Malaysian pilgrims undertaking the Hajj. The former minister is accused of using his influence to direct the fund's investments toward a Saudi real estate venture.
According to prosecution allegations, Jamil Khir is said to have dishonestly persuaded Tabung Haji officials to commit the substantial sum to the overseas investment scheme. The case represents one of the largest financial impropriety matters involving a senior government figure in recent years.
Tabung Haji, officially known as Lembaga Tabung Haji, manages billions of ringgit in savings from Malaysian Muslims preparing for their pilgrimage to Mecca. The fund's integrity is considered vital to public confidence in the institution and the hajj savings scheme.
The matter has drawn significant public attention given Jamil Khir's previous ministerial position and the scale of the alleged misappropriation. Legal proceedings are expected to continue with further court dates to be scheduled for evidence presentation.