Seven Arrested in Malaysia Over Tabung Haji Fund Probe, Including Datuk Seris

Malaysian authorities have detained seven individuals, including prominent figures with Datuk and Datuk Seri titles, as part of an investigation into the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH). The arrests, made by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM), target alleged financial misconduct related to the pilgrimage fund.

The detained individuals include a CEO of a shipping company, a construction company director, and four former senior TH management staff. They are accused of submitting false documents, defrauding TH officials into investing in a construction company with promises of a Bursa Malaysia listing, and engaging in corrupt practices. These alleged actions resulted in TH incurring losses from leasing four hotels in Saudi Arabia valued at SR2.49 billion.

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The suspect concerned is suspected of falsifying contract documents of a petroleum company for the benefit of his company.

According to sources, the first suspect, a Datuk-titled CEO in his 60s, is accused of falsifying documents for payments to TH. Two others, a Datuk and a Datuk Seri also in their 60s, allegedly deceived TH officials regarding investments. Four more suspects, including a Datuk Seri and a woman in their 50s and 60s, are implicated in the hotel lease scandal.

SPRM Chief Commissioner Dato’ Sri Abd Halim Aman confirmed the arrests, stating the case is being investigated under Sections 18 and 16(a)(A) of the SPRM Act 2009. Two suspects have been remanded for five days, while the other five were released on bail due to health issues. The investigation stems from a special task force reviewing the RCI report on TH, which was made public on July 29.

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They are suspected of engaging in corrupt practices that led TH to enter into a four-hotel lease agreement with a company in Saudi Arabia worth SR2.49 billion, resulting in losses to TH.