Abdul Azeez disappointed over corruption charges, vows to clear name – Lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim says he is disappointed over the corruption charges framed against him and remains determined to clear his name through the legal process.

His lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad said the former Baling MP was in good condition and remained calm as he faced the ongoing legal proceedings.

“Abdul Azeez’s spirit shows that he will by no means give up in defending himself and clarifying his position in court.

“He is in good condition. His spirit remains strong. But, of course, he is disappointed,” he said at a press conference in the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex here on Wednesday.

Earlier, Abdul Azeez claimed trial to a charge of using his position to secure the chairmanship of a company and influencing Tabung Haji board members to approve a proposed RM193.5 million investment in the company 12 years ago.

Commenting on the proceedings, Amer said the prosecution’s application for Abdul Azeez to surrender his passport to the court as an additional bail condition was deemed unwarranted by the defence.

“We were also rather puzzled as to why there was an additional condition requiring the passport to be surrendered when, in Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's case, the prosecution did not even appeal when the court did not order such a condition.

“So, in this case, my client is not a former minister, but ‘just an ordinary citizen’,” he said.