Former minister detained over Tabung Haji hotel lease probe

Former minister detained over Tabung Haji hotel lease probe


Published: Sep 1, 2026 7:58 PM
Updated: 10:08 PM



The MACC has detained a former minister in connection with investigations arising from the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji.

This marks the most senior former official arrested to date in the widening probe into irregularities in the fund.

According to an MACC social media post, the former minister was detained at about 4.30pm today over a case involving the leasing of hotels in Saudi Arabia.

The individual is expected to be brought to the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court tomorrow for a remand application.

The MACC did not identify the former minister or provide further details on their alleged involvement.

The RCI had scrutinised Tabung Haji’s long-term leasing arrangements for four hotels in Makkah and Madinah between 2015 and 2017, involving about 1.43 billion Saudi riyals in upfront payments.


READ MORE: 'Sakau' or not? Five key takeaways from Tabung Haji RCI


It highlighted weaknesses in due diligence and risk controls, while rental payments later fell into arrears, prompting Tabung Haji to pursue legal action in Saudi Arabia.

Separately, a former Tabung Haji chairperson and a former Treasury secretary-general were released from MACC remand today after being detained for seven days to assist investigations into issues involving the fund.

Bernama reported that the two were released this morning after being remanded since Aug 27, with MACC investigating officers having completed the process of recording their statements to investigations linked to the Tabung Haji RCI findings.

The RCI’s scope covered issues involving Tabung Haji from 2014 to 2020, with reference to findings by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and Roland Berger, excluding the restructuring and recovery plan that was being implemented at the time.