BALING MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has been handed a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on three charges of corruption and six on money laundering in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah.
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,” she said.
“The court cannot (conclude) that the prosecution has no intention to proceed with the trial,” she said.
So far, only five witnesses have testified since the trial began in 2020.
The former Tabung Haji chairman was charged in 2019 with accepting bribes amounting to RM5.2 mil in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah.
He was also slapped with 10 counts of money laundering involving RM13.9 mil over funds from Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd.
However, four of his 10 money laundering charges amounting to RM12.9 mil 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. – Sept 23, 2022
Main photo credit: The Vibes