Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, the former minister at the Prime Minister’s Department, was charged in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur with three counts related to the disposal of more than RM860.3 million in assets belonging to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) between 2015 and 2017. The charges allege that Jamil Khir dishonestly caused the board to dispose of assets worth RM42.9 million, RM288.2 million, and RM529.2 million to Al-Rawda Real Estate Development And Projects Management Co Ltd.
The alleged offences took place at the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) office in Putrajaya and another location within Kompleks Islam Putrajaya. The charges were brought under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries penalties including imprisonment ranging from six months to five years, whipping, and fines upon conviction.
During the court proceedings, Jamil Khir, 65, pleaded not guilty. Deputy public prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan proposed bail set at RM1 million for all charges combined, in addition to requesting that the accused’s passport be impounded pending the resolution of the case. The prosecutor emphasized the high-profile nature of the case and the substantial cumulative amount involved, stating that the bail and passport surrender were appropriate.
In response, Jamil Khir’s lawyer, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, argued for a reduced bail of RM300,000, citing that the former minister’s only income sources are his pension as a former government minister and a military pension. The lawyer maintained that bail should not be punitive and that the proposed amount, along with the surrender of his client’s passport, would suffice to ensure his court attendance.
Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad agreed with the defense’s submission, setting bail at RM300,000 in one surety and instituting the additional condition requiring Jamil Khir to hand over his passport to the court. The next mention for the case is scheduled for November 5.
Jamil Khir had been remanded in custody for seven days starting September 2 and was released on bail on September 8. This case is part of a broader investigation conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission linked to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Tabung Haji, which uncovered significant mismanagement within the institution.
Following his release, Jamil Khir addressed the media, affirming his intention to clear his name through the court process. He expressed confidence in the judicial system, describing the court as the proper venue to seek justice and stating, “Insya-Allah, the court will give the best justice.”