BALING lawmaker Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has not been cleared of corruption charges as the court has yet to decide on the matter, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said today.

MACC was reacting to reports yesterday in which Azeez’s lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad was quoted as saying the charges against the former Tabung Haji chairman could not stand as the agency’s own analysis showed the politician was gainfully employed in the company from which he was accused of receiving bribery, and that he had received lawful remuneration.

Amer told a Court of Appeal in Putrajaya that the corruption and money laundering charges against Azeez should be dropped as a financial analysis report by MACC showed Azeez was part of Syarikat Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd, had received lawful remuneration and had also paid his income tax.

Responding to Amer’s claim, MACC stated the lawyer was only making his argument in court in Azeez’s appeal to strike out the charges against him, and the court had yet to decide on the matter.

The anti-graft body added Azeez was previously slapped with 13 counts of corruption and money laundering at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, while the High Court rejected his application to strike out the charges.

“An appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision to reject the application is being heard at the Court of Appeal.

“Media reports quoting the lawyer make it seem as though Azeez is free from all charges of corruption and money laundering, when the court has yet to decide on the case.

“The MACC hopes the public do not speculate over the case, which is still in trial,” MACC added.

Azeez, 55, is appealing against the High Court’s dismissal of his application to strike out the three bribery charges involving RM5.2 million linked to road projects in Perak and Kedah, and 10 money-laundering charges involving a total of RM13.9 million, which he was accused of receiving from Menuju Asas.

He is alleged to have committed the offences at CIMB Bank, Jalan Tun Perak in Kuala Lumpur on December 8, 2010 and at Affin Bank, Puchong City Centre, Selangor, on June 13, 2017, and April 10, 2018.

On the money laundering charges, Azeez was charged with committing the offences in the Klang Valley area between March 8, 2010 and August 30, 2018.

His brother, Abdul Latif, was initially charged with abetting him on two counts of obtaining a RM4 million bribe as gratification to help Menuju Asas secure road projects through limited tender from the Works Ministry.

He (Latif) was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in February following an application made by the prosecution. – September 7, 2021.