Umno Supreme Council accepts Tabung Haji’s explanation on land deal, says chairman

(Malay Mail Online) – Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said Umno supreme council members have accepted the pilgrim fund’s explanation regarding its purchase of land at Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), The Star Online reported.

“I have given a ‘forensic’ explanation to the supreme council members and Alhamdulillah, they have accepted it and have given their views and constructive advice to me as the chairman of Tabung Haji and fellow supreme council member,” Abdul Azeez was quoted as telling reporters after the Umno Supreme Council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre tonight.

He advised the public not be fooled by negative rumours and political games, saying he had never played politics with Tabung Haji. He added that as the chairman of Tabung Haji, he worked not only for a select few but for the ummah (the whole Muslim community).

Abdul Azeez All insisted that offers (for the land) had so far been above the price Tabung had paid, adding that Tabung Haji may open tender for the land.

According to The Star Online, Azeez said that three private companies had offered to buy over the 0.64ha land purchased by the pilgrim’s fund from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) for RM188.5mil.

He added one company even offered to pay an additional RM5 million over the price of the land and after deliberation, the deal would be completed in a week or two.

Earlier Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak had declared that both he and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin have the full backing of Umno’s supreme council, despite calls for his resignation as prime minister.

Najib also told a press conference that the Malay ruling party’s decision-making body wants the Auditor-General to hasten its investigation on debt-laden 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).