A former minister previously remanded in connection with an investigation stemming from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has been released after seven days in custody, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed. The man, in his 60s, was detained on September 1 after voluntarily appearing at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to record his statement. Initially held for five days, his remand was extended by an additional two days before he was released on MACC bail.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman verified the former minister’s release but declined to provide further details. This development follows the detention of several other senior figures linked to TH, including a former TH chairman and a former Treasury secretary-general, who had also been remanded for seven days during the ongoing probe.

The RCI into Tabung Haji was established to scrutinize the pilgrimage fund’s management, addressing concerns related to its financial position, governance, and investment choices. Completed four years ago and disclosed publicly on July 29, the commission’s report issued 25 key recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency, professionalism, and governance within TH. The findings and recommendations have since been forwarded to relevant authorities for follow-up action.

Separately, a chairman of a housing committee affiliated with a federal statutory body in Johor was detained over allegations of soliciting bribes and abusing his position in relation to the allocation of government housing lots. The man, in his 40s, was arrested after attending the Johor MACC office on Monday to give his statement.

According to sources, the suspect is alleged to have demanded approximately RM4,000 from each of 400 applicants between 2016 and 2025, amounting to roughly RM1.6 million. It is claimed that the funds were misappropriated for personal use via withdrawals from the committee’s bank account, facilitated by fraudulent invoices.

Johor MACC director Datuk Hairuzam Mohmad Amin@Hamim stated that the case is being investigated under Sections 16(a)(A), 18, and 23 of the MACC Act 2009. The suspect was subsequently released on MACC bail following the recording of his statement. Officials have indicated that investigations are ongoing.