PUTRAJAYA (Aug 27): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has extended the remand of a former Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chief executive officer by four days until Aug 31 to assist investigations into the alleged misappropriation of about RM190 million in TH investments and shares.
The suspect, a man in his 60s, was initially remanded for seven days from Aug 21.
Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah granted the extension after the suspect’s initial seven-day remand order expired on Thursday, following an application by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court on the same day.
The extension comes as the MACC intensifies its probe into alleged wrongdoing at TH following the release of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into the pilgrim fund’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020.
The former TH CEO was arrested after being called in to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya for questioning and was subsequently remanded to facilitate investigations.
On Thursday, the MACC also obtained seven-day remand orders against a former TH chairman and a former Treasury secretary general as part of its investigation into the pilgrim fund board’s affairs.
The RCI report, released on July 29, found weaknesses in TH’s management, governance and investment processes between 2014 and 2020. It also flagged suspicious transactions and hidden information, and recommended forensic audits of certain investments.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, when contacted, confirmed the detention of the three suspects and said the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.
The provision deals with using office or position for gratification.
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