Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency Arrests Three in Tabung Haji Probe

Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) continues its efforts to clean up the image of Tabung Haji (TH), the pilgrimage fund, following a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report that exposed billions in investment losses due to suspicious transactions. In its latest action, SPRM detained three prominent individuals, including a former TH chairman who is also a politician, to aid in the ongoing investigation.

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SPRM has opened 14 investigation papers related to the issues raised in the TH RCI report.

These recent arrests bring the total number of individuals detained by SPRM in connection with the TH case to nine. The former TH chairman, in his 60s, was remanded for seven days under Section 23(1) of the SPRM Act 2009. Additionally, a former Treasury Secretary-General was also remanded for seven days for his alleged involvement in the same case. The remand for a former TH Chief Executive Officer, initially seven days, was extended by another four days until August 31.

SPRM Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman previously stated that the commission has opened 14 investigation papers related to the issues raised in the TH RCI report. The investigation has involved searching and raiding 28 premises and interviewing 115 witnesses. SPRM is actively pursuing six key issues highlighted in the RCI report, along with other matters identified during the investigation.

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The investigation has involved searching and raiding 28 premises and interviewing 115 witnesses.

The RCI report, made public via the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) portal, recommended a forensic audit into how past investment decisions led to a severe decline in TH's asset value. The inquiry into TH's management and operations between 2014 and 2020 identified problematic investments requiring forensic scrutiny. The RCI found evidence of suspicious transactions and the concealment of information, prompting SPRM to conduct financial tracing involving bank documents and statements, as well as scrutinize contract and payment records. The commission is also examining governance weaknesses believed to have contributed to the issues.

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SPRM is actively pursuing six key issues highlighted in the RCI report, along with other matters identified during the investigation.