Former minister arrives in court as Malaysian anti-graft agency seeks remand

A former minister arrived at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court in handcuffs and an orange Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission detention uniform as investigators sought to remand him.

The politician, who is in his 60s, reached the court at about 10:25 a.m. in a multipurpose vehicle before officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, known as the MACC, escorted him inside.

MACC Chief Commissioner Abd. Halim Aman confirmed the arrest the previous day. The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009. The former minister was reportedly detained at about 4:30 p.m. after appearing at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to give a statement.

The investigation is linked to the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on Tabung Haji, Malaysia’s pilgrimage fund. MACC has also sought remand for the fund’s former chairman, former chief executive officer and former secretary-general of the Treasury in relation to the same issue.

On Aug. 14, the agency detained seven people, including a woman. Those detained included a chief executive officer, company directors, a former company director and four former senior Tabung Haji managers. The inquiry report, made public on July 29, presented 25 main recommendations aimed at improving the institution’s transparency, professionalism and governance.