Court rejects police bid to extend Abdul Azeez’s remand, former TH chairman set for release
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Former Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim is expected to be released this evening after his remand period was not extended, said his lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad.
He said the police’s application to extend Abdul Azeez’s remand period for another three days to assist in the investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code had been rejected, and the former Baling Member of Parliament is expected to be released before 5pm this evening once the previous remand period expires.
“Our side has strongly objected to the remand extension application on the grounds that our client is always ready and provides full cooperation to the police at any time if needed.
“The investigation can still continue without the need to remand our client. If the authorities require further evidence, he is ready to appear at Bukit Aman at any time,” he said when met by reporters outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters (IPD) here today.
Abdul Azeez and two former TH officers were previously remanded for two days to assist in the investigation into a fraud case related to TH hibah.
Commenting on the lockup clothes and handcuffs he wore when he was arraigned on charges related to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) case yesterday, Amer Hamzah said Abdul Azeez was at that time under police custody for the remand proceedings.
“Our client only followed the instructions and SOPs set by the police. Therefore, there was no issue of any choice of clothing because he was being remanded by PDRM at the time,” he said.
Amer Hamzah said Abdul Azeez had appeared to give statements more than 10 times before and would continue to fully cooperate with the authorities to assist in the investigation.
