“Kedah MB has no constitutional right to demand RM300m ‘honorarium’ from Penang as ex-owner”

“Kedah MB has no constitutional right to demand RM300m ‘honorarium’ from Penang as ex-owner”

NOTWITHSTANDING whatever happened during British rule, modern Penang is constitutionally not land rented from Kedah given that Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution (FC) expressly recognises Kedah and Penang as two separate states of the Federation.

Such is the view of political commentator Datuk Dr Sivasampoh Kannikuddy who further pointed to Article 167(7) of the Federal Constitution which only requires the Federation to continue the historical annual payment to Kedah.


“It doesn’t declare that Penang remains leased land, provide any market-value revision formula or entitle Kedah to RM300 mil,” he added in a rebuttal to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s claims that the British deceived the then Kedah Malay ruler and lacked legitimate ownership.

ksampoh@MyOwn Inc

@ksampoh

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The Star today reported that Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi is ready to demand RM300 million annually from the Federal Govt over the so-called "Penang lease". My opinion-allow the rakyat to understand the complete facts. (1) Article 167(7) of the Federal Constitution only requires Show more

6:19 PM · Jul 29, 2026

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“That colonial history may deserve academic investigation but alleged wrongdoing in 1786 does not automatically invalidate later treaties or override today’s Federal Constitution.”

The original constitutionally continued payment was RM10,000 annually. Nevertheless, the Pakatan Harapan (PH 1.0) Federal government had in 2018 approved an additional RM10 mil annual special contribution to Kedah.

“That was a unilateral federal policy decision – not a court-assessed lease rental,” stressed the governance advocate on X.

“At that time, Kedah itself was governed by the PH coalition under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. Therefore, the increased contribution showed federal support for Kedah as opposed to legal proof that Penang remained under lease.”

‘Let the court of law decide’

Sanusi who has helmed he PAS-rule Kedah state government since May 17, 2020 has disclosed no independent valuation, contractual review formula or constitutional provision justifying RM300 mil, according to Sivasampoh.

“He previously demanded RM100 mil but now wants RM300 mil. Where is the calculation and legal basis?” retorted the group CEO of MyOwn Inc, a Delaware, US-based international investment holding company.


Sanusi says previous Kedah leaders were afraid to speak because they belonged to the same party as the Prime Minister.

Yet he admits raising the matter with then eighth premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when Perikatan Nasional (PN) controlled Putrajaya. If Kedah’s case was already so strong, why did that friendly PN government neither pay the demand nor take it to court?

Sivasampoh also chided Sanusi in that he should just let the court of law determine the validity of his RM300 mil price tag.

“Sanusi says he is waiting for a ‘more neutral situation’. Courts exist precisely to decide disputes independently of political convenience,” he jibed.

“If all the documents are ready and the case is solid, file it and allow the evidence to be tested publicly.”

Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang kekal dengan pendirian untuk menunggu sebarang tuntutan rasmi daripada Kerajaan Negeri Kedah sebelum memberikan sebarang maklum balas lanjut.

Kita tunggu perkara yang dituntut tersebut, dan akan memberi maklum balas selepas menerima tuntutan tersebut sama ada ia dihantar ke mahkamah ataupun Kerajaan Negeri.

Pautan Berita: https://www.buletinmutiara.com/kita-tunggu-perkara-yang-di…/

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Moreover, even if the Conference of Rulers may discuss or facilitate the matter, “it doesn’t replace the courts in determining constitutional liability”.


To date, no court has ruled that Penang remains leased from Kedah or awarded Kedah RM300 mil annually.

Kedah has every right to negotiate for better federal allocations but Sanusi should not present a political demand as an established constitutional debt.

Instead of spending public time and money pursuing RM300 mil without first proving the legal entitlement, Sanusi should focus on attracting investment, building industries, creating skilled jobs and increasing Kedah’s own revenue.

A state is developed through sound economic management – not by demanding hundreds of millions from Putrajaya without producing anything in return.” – July 30, 2026

***

The honorarium went from RM10,000 to Rm10 million in 2018 because of a sympathetic PM who himself was coincidentally a Kedahan. Should have left it at RM10K, wakakaka. 

Just as Zelensky and Satanyahu are known in US and Europe as the "Beggar Kings", Fei-lo looks like he deserves that classification too, wakakaka again.

Tabung Haji findings: a case of harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi

Tabung Haji findings: a case of harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi


6 hours ago
Walter Sandosam


The RCI report also makes a good case for why politicians should not stick their noses into investment fund entities

“Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi” – the essence of this Malay proverb roughly translated reads how one is consumed by the very party that one expects to protect it.

In an article just prior to the last state election in Johor, I contended that “some politicians are fools and some others, perpetual liars”.


With due respect, I am obliged to speak also of the other cohort of politicians who operate at nothing less than genius level. Their self-sacrificing work, above and beyond the call of duty, has to be acknowledged.

Our economy is full steam ahead, notwithstanding challenges with a reported GDP growth above 5%. Charting the nation’s economy on the right path needs to be taken on board.


And then there are state elections, to add flavour to the mundaneness of life.

This is another front where political ingenuity is there to be seen, appreciated and applauded. Suddenly there is name calling, distortion of speeches and “fake” news calculated to mislead and “maim” political opponents.

Their unquestionable timing in initiating reforms and upgrades, though delayed on certain fronts, presumably due to political horse trading, leaves one in awe.

It is up to one to speculate on the timing of the release of the much awaited royal commission of inquiry (RCI) on Tabung Haji (TH). All said and done, as a citizen, as with many, I am glad it is now in the public sphere.


It should be noted that the report was submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2022 and it had a slow meandering journey to its release almost four years later after declassification. Really?

Such questionable conduct directly attributable to politicians, as alluded to in the report, should have hit the roof much earlier. This is the crux of reform; not hyperventilating at ceramahs to boost one’s political standing.

The excuse that it will affect foreign investor confidence is poppycock. Investors are shrewd and know what is in the melting pot even before they commit their millions.

The release has opened a Pandora’s box.


The chairman and the panel of the RCI should be applauded for the breadth and depth of the report which leaves no stone unturned. In my view as an internationally certified internal auditor and fraud investigator, this is a commendable piece of work.

It is a textbook example, which is good reading at business schools, as to why politicians should not stick their noses into investment fund entities.

Firstly, they are already mentally challenged – how does one record a reported RM3.4 billion profit when it should have been a RM1.4 billion loss under proper accounting standards?

As a past member of the Malaysian Accounting and Standards Board under the purview of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, I find this most distressing as accounting norms were creatively distorted to reflect such positive financials.

A slew of accountants were at the helm at TH. They need to answer, especially those who earned hefty bonuses. Is this not tainted remuneration?

The conduct of the national audit department was also called into question for failing to adopt a firmer stand. Are our institutions compromised or is it just oversight?

I vividly recall the testimonies at the 1MDB-related trials of alleged “interference and/or influence” in another audit report involving the national audit department.

Good governance is all about integrity and trust. This was sadly lacking at TH.

It is reported that board appointments were determined by the political masters. Some directors were appointed to sit on the board of subsidiaries as well, which the report noted.

In essence, there is nothing wrong with this from a governance perspective. As an ex- banker who served at Maybank, this was our commendable practice because it ensured the main board had its “feelers” out at subsidiaries to know about any questionable conduct.

Unfortunately, unlike Maybank, TH was shortchanged in not having directors who subscribed to good governance practices as these subsidiaries entered into questionable ventures, some of which they had limited technical knowledge about.

To be clear, several board chairman and members appointed between 2014 and 2018 were active politicians. Academic research can attest to the levels of integrity and trust among politicians!

The excessive ministerial powers under the Tabung Haji Act 1955 is noted in the report.

Could they have been subject to possible political interference as the remunerations were sizeable, even when losses were being reported? This is left to interpretation. Oh why?

This piece is not to repeat what is in the RCI report. Blood has been spilled and at the most opportune time, in the minds of many.

Ask any comedian or professional musician or dancer and they will say, “It’s all in the timing”: the punchline, the cymbal clash or the pirouette.

What matters is what comes now. Is it more twiddling of thumbs and sad faces at press conferences, expressing dismay and feigned remorse?

The deputy prime minister has indicated that stern action without compromise will be taken against those involved. There has to be no compromise on this if we are to take the words of politicians seriously. The country looks to the prime minister to “put things right”.

If we can amass a litany of lawyers to bring to book, including through incarceration, those involved in the 1MDB scandal, surely this is a walk in the park.

A figure of RM10 billion is being floated as the cost of these alleged mismanagements stemming from political interference and manoeuvrings. A bitter pill, as it relates to funds to fulfil a religious purpose. Have we completely lost our moral bearings? If so, it is sad.

The RCI findings will weigh heavily on the minds of voters at the next state election. The rest of us, while expressing anguish, can only pray that the professional work done by the RCI bears fruit in emasculating those who were in positions of influence at the material time.

This is what the reform agenda is about.

Ong: Harapan fall in N Sembilan may seal Madani govt's fate, lead to early GE

Ong: Harapan fall in N Sembilan may seal Madani govt's fate, lead to early GE

Alyaa Alhadjri
Published: Jul 30, 2026 6:00 PM
Updated: 9:16 PM


INTERVIEW | A Pakatan Harapan defeat in the Negeri Sembilan election could prove to be the final nail in the coffin for the Madani government, according to former DAP lawmaker Ong Kian Ming.

He predicted such an outcome would destabilise cooperation between Harapan and BN at the federal level, potentially paving the way for an early general election.

“For now, I do not think it is very plausible for the Madani government to remain stable and continue governing until the end of 2027.

“This is because the political hostility arising from what happened in Johor, and what follows from it, will likely create tensions within the cabinet and make it difficult for the government to implement any substantive policies moving forward,” Ong (above) told KiniTV’s “Kini Jelas” programme.

Ong said the repercussions could be particularly severe if senior DAP leaders, including party secretary-general Anthony Loke, who is defending his Chennah seat, are defeated in Negeri Sembilan.

DAP sec-gen Anthony Loke meeting locals in his constituency


He said growing unhappiness among DAP members over the party’s cooperation with BN could trigger calls for DAP to withdraw its representatives from the federal government.

“I think one consequence for DAP is that when delegates cast their votes at the special congress on Aug 16, there is a greater possibility that they will vote for DAP leaders to resign from the cabinet.

“This would mean that five ministers and seven deputy ministers would step down within a specified period,” he said.

Ong said DAP lawmakers could continue backing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as government backbenchers, but the withdrawal of the party’s ministers would leave the cabinet weakened and make policymaking increasingly difficult.

“We would then have to see what political moves are made, particularly by Umno leaders, after such a development,” he added.


Scale of defeat matters

International Islamic University Malaysia political scientist Syaza Shukri, however, said a defeat for Loke would not necessarily force him to step down as DAP secretary-general.

“I don’t think he would be automatically forced to resign. Maybe the pressure might be there given it would be close to the election. But I think it also depends if, say, DAP does relatively well as a whole, then we cannot discount his role in leading the campaign.

“And also, it might be too disruptive to change leadership now when GE16 (16th general election) is coming. I would say it depends on the scale of the hypothetical defeat in Negeri Sembilan,” she told Malaysiakini.

Separately, political analyst Wong Chin Huat argued there would be no reason for Loke to resign as DAP secretary-general.

Political analyst Wong Chin Huat


“He (Loke) may choose to resign as DAP state chair. But there is absolutely no reason for him to resign as the national secretary-general.

“Resignation to undertake responsibility for electoral defeat is a good thing, but sometimes the need to keep the leadership team intact for the immediate next battle may take priority,” he added.


Linggi a key indicator

Apart from Loke, Ong said the outcome in Linggi, where Negeri Sembilan PKR chairperson Aminuddin Harun is contesting after moving from Sikamat, would be a key indicator of Harapan’s chances of retaining the state.

“I think that if Tok Min (Aminuddin) loses in Linggi, it would mean that Harapan has no chance of forming the Negeri Sembilan government. It would also indicate that Harapan is likely to lose most of the other Malay-majority seats.

“Therefore, my prediction that Perikatan Nasional and BN will form the Negeri Sembilan government would become a reality,” he said.

Ong also pointed to Anwar’s speeches on the campaign trail, saying the Harapan chairperson appeared to be piling pressure on BN by highlighting alleged scandals involving Felda.

He added that Anwar’s promise to release the royal commission of inquiry report on Tabung Haji, which was officially made public yesterday, could also be seen as part of a broader political offensive against Umno.


GE16 end of this year?

However, Ong said a strong showing by BN and PN in Negeri Sembilan would reinforce Umno’s belief that working with the opposition coalition could yield electoral gains.

“They (Umno) have a way to ensure their interests are protected. If they are unhappy, they could resign from the cabinet, or take a position that leaves Anwar with no other choice but to remove BN from the cabinet.

“That could then lead to the dissolution of Parliament and the holding of the 16th general election,” said Ong.

Ong predicted GE16 could be held by the end of this year, arguing that the Madani government may struggle to withstand the political fallout of a Negeri Sembilan defeat.

He said Anwar could ultimately be forced to seek a fresh mandate if the government lost sufficient support to maintain cabinet stability or secure the passage of the 2027 federal budget, which is due to be tabled in November.

Lawyer: Anwar will sue for defamation if PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim fails to respond in 48 hours

Lawyer: Anwar will sue for defamation if PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim fails to respond in 48 hours



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyer Datuk Sankara Narayan Nair said he had acted on Anwar’s instructions to issue a letter of demand today to PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man over a ‘series of allegedly defamatory statements made outside Parliament on June 14, 2026 against the prime minister and subsequently republished on social media’. — Pictures by Bernama/Hari Anggara


Summary

• Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, through his lawyer Datuk Sankara Narayan Nair, has issued a legal letter to PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, demanding retraction and apology for allegedly defamatory statements made against him on June 14, 2026.
• The remarks were reportedly resurfaced on social media platforms, prompting the demand for compensation and legal costs.
• Tuan Ibrahim has been given 48 hours to respond; otherwise, legal proceedings will be initiated.

By Ida Lim
First Published: Thursday, 30 Jul 2026 7:44 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will sue PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man over the latter’s alleged defamatory remarks, if the PAS leader fails to respond within 48 hours to a legal letter sent out today, Anwar’s lawyer has said.

Anwar’s lawyer Datuk Sankara Narayan Nair said he had acted on Anwar’s instructions to issue a letter of demand today to Tuan Ibrahim over a “series of allegedly defamatory statements made outside Parliament on June 14, 2026 against the prime minister and subsequently republished on social media”.


Sankara said the legal letter had demanded for Tuan Ibrahim to immediately withdraw those remarks, to make an unconditional public apology, and to give an undertaking or promise to not repeat the allegations.


He said the letter had also demanded Tuan Ibrahim to pay compensation and legal costs.


“The recipient has been given forty eight (48) hours to respond, failing which our instructions are to commence legal proceedings without further notice,” Sankara said in a brief statement this evening.


When contacted, Sankara confirmed to Malay Mail that the letter of demand had been sent via email to Tuan Ibrahim at 6pm today.

It is understood that Tuan Ibrahim is alleged to have made those allegedly defamatory remarks on June 14 at a political ceramah at Felda Jenderak Utara in Kuala Krau, Pahang.


The remarks are understood to have been posted online through two separate videos on June 15 on the Facebook pages of Tuan Ibrahim and PAS Pahang, and also to be available in a June 15 video on the video-sharing platform YouTube.

N9: An election devoid of substance

N9: An election devoid of substance



Thursday, 30 Jul 2026 8:42 AM MYT

By Praba Ganesan


Summary

• The article critiques the political landscape in Negeri Sembilan, highlighting a divisive campaign atmosphere fueled by racial rhetoric primarily targeting the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
• It underscores voter disillusionment with Pakatan Harapan, emphasizing a potential decline in voter turnout which could benefit opposing coalitions, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
• The commentary also calls out the failure to achieve reforms promised by Pakatan and warns about the continued erosion of multiculturalism in Malaysian politics.
• The author concludes with a hopeful plea for greater unity, transcending divisive tactics.

JULY 30 — “Be a proper Malaysian, possess the right amount of racism” is the Negeri Sembilan campaign in a nutshell.


What that means in the sane world, no one really knows. But that’s what’s on sale in the state, oversaturated with traditions — which no one can talk about too much, less falling on the wrong side of the acceptable interpretation.


But the selling has gone thermonuclear.


When all is done and dusted, certificates should be issued for all, winners and losers. For the ability to take cognitive dissonance to the edges of the galaxy within every participant’s stump speech is beyond comprehension.


What is not talked about and operates in the fringes which may ultimately decide the success or lack thereof for Pakatan Harapan is how disappointed are its voters. Which translates to them not so much voting for the other side but not turning up on August 1. Let’s explore before we deplore this election devoid of substance.


DAP The Impossible

The same side of NO DAP, is the pond Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional swim in.

PN are unashamed to bash DAP to the rafters. Which then of course leads them to rhetorical genius lines like how half the country has a back-up country, but not the Malays. They could have copied it wholesale from anti-migrant posters in Jawi from the 1940s.

Their enthusiasm gets the better of them, like in the case of Kedah Mentri Besar Sanusi Nor who trips into the race bait unwittingly in the zeal of his speechmaking.

By the way he rampages through with anti-DAP language, he’d have been absolutely miserable in the seven years PAS shared meals with DAP in the Pakatan Rakyat years (2008-2015).

He backtracks on his language, saying how multicultural he is. I half expect him to talk about how being a good old boy from Sik and then to boarding school in Sungai Petani, he was unable to form meaningful friendships with those who look different from him.

But thank the heavens, he had the great opportunity to share lecture halls with minorities during his Universiti Sains Malaysia days.

Listen, I am OK with Sanusi being partial to people completely because of their DNA. He’s not alone on this. I prefer him all guns blazing rather than dishing out canned lines about how wonderful it is to be all together in this great united colours of Benetton. He is funnier at his provocative best.

On the same token, it’s quite the torture to hear from PAS’ supporters wing, Gerakan and MIPP and Wawasan minorities explaining how Sanusi and those who feel home is not the same for all of us, actually means well.

How about the new BFF?

BN, led by deputy president Mohamad Hasan, are completely against over the top racism. They won’t flog minorities but a proper scolding is necessary. So that they know real peace and harmony can only be achieved by unequivocal Malay leadership, primarily by Umno.

The minor leaguers, at times referred to as MIC and MCA, prefer elegant silence, and as they did in Johor, collect their dues in the form of state seats on Saturday.

Umno also conveniently leaves out the productive years it continues to experience in federal government with DAP, and that their grip on power in Perak is due to DAP assemblymen.

The overall summary from PN and BN, is that DAP through strategic vote canvassing, competency and track record in locations like Penang and Selangor may win. In an election.

This is unacceptable. All minorities must play a dutiful secondary role because this is what BN and PN can live with.

That’s it. The whole campaign. Fear the DAP.

I have a bucket of issues with DAP. But I am fairly certain they are still Malaysians and deserve respect and civility. Certainly not attacks grounded in irrational fears. Again, DAP chooses the ethnic path but it is not grounds for ritual lynchings online.



Whether or not the running down of multiculturalism persists after the elections, that is really in the hands of voters, both those who stomach haters and those who’ve lost the love. — Bernama file pic



Too blue, not that blue

Those infirmed Pakatan folks.

They won’t vote because those they believed in came astronomically short. By not voting they hand the results to those who want to reverse even the minimums achieved. A cruel twist of fate.

It’s horrendous, the mood of traditional Pakatan voters but they remain unmoved and ensconced in melancholy.

They, the pretend reformists, underperform, like Portugal at the World Cup.

The reform they expected never materialised and on days they cannot tell the sides apart.

Enuff said.


The constancy of power

The unfortunate part about being in a state is that there are no gap years. Unlike taking a year off from work to raise a kid or get a degree, governments are permanent concerns. It is not like since the options are unpalatable we skip a few years of having a government in charge.

PN and BN stoke up their bases. Many on the fence slide to them since they feel not tugged in any other direction.

Pakatan doubles down, saying nothing is quite that bad under them. They need time to get this to the finishing line they insist.

It’s fluff in campaign language.

Whether N9 has come too soon after Johor, the results on August 1 will be a major marker for when the general elections are to be held.

Whether or not the running down of multiculturalism persists after the elections, that is really in the hands of voters, both those who stomach haters and those who’ve lost the love.

From the standpoint of democracy, it is absolute shambles. Almost 70, Malaysia can do better than divide and rule.

 

India’s arms sale to Israel risks complicity in Gaza genocide, Amnesty says

Rights group says India continues to support the Israeli military despite genocide ‘broadcast worldwide on an almost daily basis’.

By Umut Uras

Published On 30 Jul 202630 Jul 2026

India continues to supply arms to Israel despite a “substantial risk” of them being used in the “ongoing genocide against Palestinians” in Gaza, according to a report by Amnesty International.

In a report shared with Al Jazeera, the Britain-based rights group on Thursday documented how India has “forged a close and profitable partnership with the Israeli defence sector and has become a significant contributor to the supply chains that support Israel’s military operations”.

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“Amnesty International investigators analysed 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition, parts and components shipped from India to Israel since 7 October 2023,” the report titled The Supply of Weapons and Ammunition to Israel said, referring to the beginning of the massive Israeli offensive on Gaza.

According to the report, Indian companies have supplied at least 390,516 small arms parts for military-grade weapons, 564,970 parts of explosive ordnance – such as drone warheads and artillery shell casings – and 298 components of military vehicles to Israeli military suppliers.

Amnesty said it used shipment trade data to reveal how weapons, ammunition, parts and components were shipped to Israeli companies that supply them to the country’s army.

The rights group said its researchers “systematically excluded” shipments that may have been destined for civilian use, adding that they identified India’s exports of weapons and ammunition, including parts and accessories, categorised under the internationally recognised Harmonised System codes (HS Code) 93+ and 8710+.

(Al Jazeera)

Earlier this year, Al Jazeera also obtained 91 Indian customs export documents covering arms-related shipments to Israel in 2024 under the classification code 93069000, which refers to “bombs, grenades”, according to India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s customs book.

The documents showed Indian firms exporting weapons components to Israeli arms manufacturers, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, IMI Systems Limited and MCT Materials.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2024 issued provisional measures that ordered Israel to take action to prevent genocide in Gaza. Since then, many human rights groups and independent United Nations experts have called Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide.

Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary-general, said the group’s report “reveals India’s continuing support to the Israeli military and defence sector despite the genocide in Gaza, which has been broadcast worldwide on an almost daily basis for years”.

“India manufactures and supplies arms transferred to Israel through its ownership and control over key supplier companies,” Callamard said.

“Not only has India failed to regulate arms exports to Israel by private companies in line with international law and standards, it has also deepened its defence partnership with Israel.”

Historically, India and Israel have deep ties in the areas of defence and security matters.

India has been Israel’s largest defence purchaser for years, including 29 percent of the total sales between 2020 and 2025, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Israel ranked third during the same period in India’s list of countries it sells arms to, with 15 percent of the imports coming from there – after Russia with 40 percent and France with 29 percent, SIPRI data shows.

India and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation aimed at enhancing military, industrial and technological ties on November 4, 2025.

During a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel, the two countries, in a joint statement, “acknowledged the significant growth made in defence cooperation between their nations, both in scope and scale” and “provided a vision and a roadmap for future defence cooperation”.

Modi has frequently described Netanyahu as a “dear friend”, despite the International Criminal Court having issued an arrest warrant in late 2024 for the Israeli premier over the alleged war crimes carried out during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Abdul Azeez says ready to face fresh probe over Tabung Haji RCI findings

Abdul Azeez says ready to face fresh probe over Tabung Haji RCI findings



Former Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim at Kuala Lumpur High Court September 7, 2022. — File picture by Hari Anggara


Summary

• Former Tabung Haji chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, expressed willingness to undergo further investigation following allegations highlighted in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report.
• He questioned the timing of the report's release during the Negri Sembilan state election, emphasizing his past cooperation with authorities and asserting no wrongdoing was found.
• Abdul Azeez highlighted his non-executive role at Tabung Haji and appealed to the public to review the RCI report independently.
• He also defended the historical management of Tabung Haji under Umno and BN, emphasizing its acclaimed haj management record.

First Published: Thursday, 30 Jul 2026 2:53 PM MYT


JELEBU, July 30 — Former Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said he is prepared to be investigated again if necessary following allegations of misconduct raised in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report, according to Sinar Harian.

Abdul Azeez said the 204-page RCI report had been completed at the end of 2022 and tabled at several Cabinet meetings.


“I do not know why it was not released for three years and eight months... only the prime minister knows. The RCI clearly states that it can be made public.


“If I had really stolen, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would have jailed me back in 2018... I was detained for 14 nights in a lock-up and thoroughly investigated, including through a forensic audit,” he was quoted as saying.


He said this while campaigning for Barisan Nasional (BN) Pertang candidate Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias in Taman Simpang Pertang here today.


Abdul Azeez said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) then chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had issued an official letter in 2021 stating that there had been no abuse of power or misappropriation.

The former Baling MP also said he had been called by the police 11 times previously to assist in forensic investigations.


He questioned why the RCI report was released during the Negri Sembilan state election campaign instead of earlier.

“Two weeks ago I asked the police and they told me the file had been completed and was only waiting for a No Further Action (NFA) directive.

“So if they want to investigate again, go ahead. I will be the first to give my full cooperation. If I stole, I will take responsibility. But do not keep repeating the word ‘sakau’ for political interests,” he said.

Abdul Azeez said he had previously appealed to then prime minister Dr Mahathir, then deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa to establish an RCI into the matter.

He said he later made the same appeal to former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, but it did not receive attention.

“I wanted the matter to be resolved, but nothing was done. Alhamdulillah, when Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob became prime minister, he agreed to establish the RCI.

“If Umno had stolen, if my minister had stolen, if I had stolen as TH chairman then, I would not have asked for an RCI. Let the people judge,” he was quoted as saying.

Abdul Azeez also said that as a non-executive chairman at the time, he did not have absolute authority to approve transactions or investments on his own.

He said every proposal had to go through the investment panel and risk management division before being tabled to the board of directors.

“I was not an executive chairman. I was only an ordinary chairman. The top management was responsible for providing all the explanations and detailed reports after the risk management division and investment panel had reviewed them. The people need to know that process,” he said.

He also urged the current administration not to dismiss Umno and BN’s record in managing Tabung Haji since 1963.

“Current ministers should not try to please their boss (the prime minister) by claiming their era is the best. For 15 consecutive years, including the seven years when I was there, Tabung Haji was recognised as having the best haj management in the world.

“We successfully helped more than 1.4 million Malaysians perform the haj with a welfare and healthcare system that had no equal. They are now only strengthening what is already there, so do not deny our previous contributions,” he said.

Abdul Azeez also urged the public and Tabung Haji depositors to read the RCI report themselves without being influenced by others.