Azeez gets DNAA in graft, money laundering case

“The court cannot (conclude) that the prosecution has no intention to proceed with the trial”

(FMT) – The sessions court here has granted Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) in his corruption case.

Judge Azura Alwi made the ruling after she said the court was satisfied with the prosecution’s request for an order to discharge Azeez.

“This is to enable the prosecution to complete their investigations on ‘new’ leads, after the accused (Azeez) submitted his representations (to the) charges.

So far, only five witnesses have testified since the trial began in 2020.

Today was initially fixed for mention pending a decision by the attorney-general on Azeez’s representations seeking a withdrawal of three corruption charges and six money laundering charges he was facing.

The defence had submitted five representations to the prosecution over Azeez’s charges.

The former Tabung Haji chairman was charged in 2019 with accepting bribes amounting to RM5.2 million in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah.

He was also slapped with 10 counts of money laundering involving RM13.9 million over funds from a company, Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd.

However, four of his 10 money laundering charges amounting to RM12.9 million were quashed by the Court of Appeal earlier this month.

The appeals court ordered Azeez to stand trial on the remaining six money laundering and three corruption charges.

Azeez was represented by lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, and deputy public prosecutor Aslinda Ahad appeared for the prosecution.