THAT the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) findings must be follow up till the absolute depths has apparently been crystalising with yesterday’s (Aug 26) two high-profile arrests by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC).
They have been identified by Malay language news sites MalaysiaGazette and Unofficial Info as former TH chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, 60, who is currently an UMNO supreme council member and ex-treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, 69.
Both were detained around 4pm after arriving at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. They are expected to be brought to the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court for a remand application today (Aug 27).
The graft buster agency’s Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman has confirmed the arrest of the two men, aged in their 60s, late yesterday afternoon.
The duo’s arrest follows that of former TH CEO on Aug 21 whose remand order of seven days in connection with the TH RCI report expires today (Aug 27).
Meanwhile, MalaysiaGazette further cited a source revealing that “several UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, too, will be charged this Friday (Aug 28)”.
“There are several names linked to various misconduct while in government. Stay tuned for this Friday’s surprise,” he told the news portal.
Be careful what you wish for
Recall that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia has decreed on Aug 8 that relevant authorities must investigate findings of the TH’s RCI completely by using the Malay idiom “sehingga ke lubang cacing“ (which literally translates to “down to the wormhole” or “no stone unturned” English equivalent).
Aside from the Agong, both of yesterday’s the high-profile arrest has ironically lived up to the challenge posed by UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh on Aug 15 that “PMX’s screams of sakau (plundering of nation’s wealth) must be followed by arrests, charges and convictions in court”.
“It mustn’t just end as screams … Because previously there was a record of screams that the opposition abused gambling money but till now no evidence has been released,” jibed the Merlimau state assemblyman.
“Don’t forget to also investigate Rafizi’s (former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli) allegations about Corporate Mafia with regard to the sakau affair, ya. 😊 Long live PMX!”
For the record, both Azeez and Irwan have both been previously detained by authorities prior to their yesterday’s arrests.
Azeez was first arrested by the MACC on Sept 25, 2018 to facilitate investigations into allegations of soliciting bribes and corruption linked to construction and road projects.
He was arrested again on Jan 15, 2019 by the graft buster which led to him facing trial for three counts of corruption and 10 counts of money laundering charges of which he was later acquitted in late 2022.
Semalam bukan main seronok ya…bermusyawarah bagai
Bekas Pengerusi Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim dan bekas Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah ditahan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) hari ini dan… pic.twitter.com/IcMigbMcEL
— Mr.Nazril (@Nazril_Iznil) August 26, 2026
As for Irwan who served as the Treasury secretary-general from 2011 to May 2018, he was previously arrested by the MACC alongside incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak in connection with investigation into the 1MDB scandal, specifically concerning criminal breach of trust (CBT)involving government funds.
In addition, 1MDB had alleged that Irwan conspired to cause the state-owned investment fund to suffer losses and damages. In this regard, 1MDB has demanded that Irwan pay US$6.59 bil alongside its then former president and CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy.
As expected, detractors have cried foul of the recent spate of arrests as reflecting desperation of the Madani government till having to embark on political prosecution. – Aug 27, 2026
Main image credit: Unofficial Media/Facebook
