Jamil Khir to Challenge Three Charges Over RM860m TH Deal

Former minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom will move to challenge the Jamil Khir charges over the disposal of RM860.3 million in Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) funds, his lawyer told the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Nov 5), Bernama reported.

Jamil Khir, 65, a former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs, faces three counts of dishonestly causing the TH Board to dispose of its funds to a Saudi-based developer.

Defence to challenge Jamil Khir charges

During mention proceedings before Judge Rosli Ahmad, defence counsel Datuk Hamidi Mohd Noh said the defence would file several applications after going through documents handed over by the prosecution, including a challenge to the three charges.

“We will file several applications, including one concerning his passport,” Hamidi told the court.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nidzuwan Abd Latip said the prosecution had handed over a volume of documents to the defence but needed more time to submit the rest, including banking records.

The court fixed Jan 14, 2027 for mention and further disclosure of documents.

Concern over social media remarks

Hamidi also raised concerns over statements made on social media about the case. He said the defence had identified accounts that may be brought before the court, which could lead to contempt of court proceedings.

He stressed that any decision on the matter must come from the court and not from social media.

The RM860.3 million charges

On Sept 14, Jamil Khir was charged with three counts of dishonestly causing the TH Board to dispose of its funds to Al-Rawda Real Estate Development and Projects Management Co Ltd (Al-Rawda), committed while he was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).

The sums involved were RM42,942,074 (SAR44.170 million), RM288,172,134.64 (SAR250,041,622) and RM529,194,561.87 (SAR471,848,615).

The offences were allegedly committed at the minister’s office at Level 9, Block D7, Complex D, Federal Government Administrative Centre in Putrajaya on April 3, 2015, and at the minister’s office at Level 10, Block A, Kompleks Islam Putrajaya on Dec 14, 2016 and Aug 17, 2017.

The charges were framed under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which according to the report provides for imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than five years, with caning, and a fine upon conviction.

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