Focus

Abdul Azeez is freed because prosecution has insufficient facts

BERNAMA
By BERNAMA
09 Dec 2022 08:24pm
The Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim of nine charges of corruption and money laundering.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim of nine charges of corruption and money laundering.

KUALA LUMPUR - The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) will not proceed with corruption and money laundering charges against Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim as there are no testimonies and facts favouring the prosecution.

Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun said in a statement today that since the filing of charges at the Sessions Court here, Abdul Azeez, through his counsel, has submitted several representations to the AGC to have his case withdrawn and all charges dropped.

He said in two letters of representation dated Mar 11, 2022 and Mar 16, 2022, the prosecution received six statutory declarations from main prosecution witnesses that gave rise to a complete and thorough investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as there was new evidence that was not considered previously.

He said on Sept 23, 2022, the prosecution requested from the court a discharge not amounting to acquittal against Abdul Azeez under Section 254(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code so that further investigation could be conducted and the Sessions Court then allowed Abdul Azeez to be discharged not amounting to acquittal.

"The developments in investigations were referred back to the prosecution, which was satisfied that there was no testimony or facts favouring the prosecution.

"On Dec 1, 2022, Abdul Azeez, through his counsel, filed for a discharge and acquittal from all charges.

"After the investigation paper was examined, the department agreed not to continue with the prosecution against Abdul Azeez and does not object to the application," the AG said.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid today released the former Baling MP after allowing the motion filed by Abdul Azeez's counsel, Amer Hamzah Arshad to be immediately discharged and acquitted of the charges.

Related Articles:

Abdul Azeez, 56, faced three counts of receiving bribes totalling RM5.2 million and 10 charges of money laundering totalling RM13.9 million in relation to a highway project in Perak and Kedah.

He had also appealed against the High Court decision that rejected his motion to dismiss all the charges.

On Sept 5, he failed in his appeal to dismiss the three bribery charges, but the court did dismiss four of the 10 money laundering charges.-- BERNAMA

Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim
Corruption
money laundering
acquitted
More Like This
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R) applauds with Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Mustafa (2R) as Spain's second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Economy Yolanda Diaz (2L) stands with Palestinian labor minister Enas Attari after signing bilateral accords during a signing ceremony at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, on November 21, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R) applauds with Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Mustafa (2R) as Spain's second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Economy Yolanda Diaz (2L) stands with Palestinian labor minister Enas Attari after signing bilateral accords during a signing ceremony at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, on November 21, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
World Spain holds first talks with Palestinian govt since recognising state
The aim is to "help promote Palestine's statehood at the international level" and encourage other nations to follow the example of Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia.
This handout photograph taken by Press Wing of Bangladesh's Chief Adviser and released on November 21, 2024, shows nobel laureate and chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus (R) with former premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia (2L) at a reception to mark the country's Armed Forces Day in Dhaka. - Photo by AFP
This handout photograph taken by Press Wing of Bangladesh's Chief Adviser and released on November 21, 2024, shows nobel laureate and chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus (R) with former premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia (2L) at a reception to mark the country's Armed Forces Day in Dhaka. - Photo by AFP
World Bangladesh ex-PM makes first public appearance in six years
The ferocious rivalry between the two former premiers -- born in blood and cemented in prison -- has defined politics in the Muslim-majority nation for decades.
This image shows an artist’s impression of the star WOH G64, the first star outside our galaxy to be imaged in close-up. - Photo by AFP
This image shows an artist’s impression of the star WOH G64, the first star outside our galaxy to be imaged in close-up. - Photo by AFP
World The first 'zoomed-in' image of a star outside our galaxy
Roughly 160,000 light years from Earth, the star WOH G64 sits in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our home Milky Way.
People play World of Warcraft at an E-Sports centre in Jinzhou, in China’s central Hubei province on August 1, 2024. - AFP
People play World of Warcraft at an E-Sports centre in Jinzhou, in China’s central Hubei province on August 1, 2024. - AFP
World 'World of Warcraft' still going strong as it celebrates 20 years
"WoW" was born the same year as Facebook, and comprised key elements such as online interactions and communities that would help create today's globalised social networks.