Abdul Azeez is freed because prosecution has insufficient facts

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Court here, Abdul Azeez, through his counsel, has submitted several representations to the AGC to have his case withdrawn and all charges dropped.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.

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