Former Tabung Haji CEO, CFO Charged with Deception Over RM3.3 Billion Hibah Payment Involving Three Investment Properties
KUALA LUMPUR: Two former senior officials of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) were charged at the Sessions Court here today with deception involving a RM3.3 billion hibah (profit distribution) payment linked to the valuation of three investment properties eight years ago.
However, former Chief Financial Officer Datuk Rozaida Omar, 63, and former Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Johan Abdullah, 70, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Judge Norma Ismail.
According to the charge, the two were jointly accused of deceiving TH’s Board of Directors by preparing and presenting a working paper containing a proposal to revalue investment properties.
The paper was intended to increase the reported profit in TH’s Unconsolidated Financial Statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2017, to facilitate a hibah payment totalling RM3.3 billion, despite the properties allegedly having a lower market value.
Their alleged actions induced the board members to approve the working paper for the valuation adjustment of three major properties, namely TH Platinum Park Building, TH Perdana Building and TH Selborne Building.
The alleged offence took place at Menara TH Tun Razak, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, between 3 pm and 10.30 pm on February 9, 2018.
The charge was brought under Section 417 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, which provides for a maximum imprisonment of five years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham, Rohaiza Abd Rahman and Siti Aina Rodhiah Md Shikh.
Rozaida was represented by defence lawyer Shamsul Sulaiman, while Johan was represented by lawyers Datuk Shukri Mohamed and Malissa Shukri.
The court subsequently granted each accused bail of RM60,000 with one surety.
The case has been fixed for further mention on December 8 for the submission of documents.
UTUSAN