Malaysia Haj Fund Scandal: Former Minister Charged Over RM860 Million Transactions

 

ASEANNETWORKNEWS| Malaysia’s former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom, has been charged with allegedly misappropriating more than RM860.3 million (about US$211.2 million) from the country’s haj pilgrimage savings fund, Tabung Haji.

Jamil, 65, pleaded not guilty to three charges at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on September 14, 2026. The charges concern payments made to a Saudi real estate company between 2015 and 2017.

According to the charges, Tabung Haji transferred funds to Al-Rawda Real Estate Development and Projects Management Co. Ltd. in three transactions.

The first transfer, amounting to RM42.94 million, was made in April 2015. A second payment of RM288.17 million was made in December 2016, followed by RM529.19 million in August 2017.

Jamil served as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department overseeing religious affairs from 2009 to 2018, during the administration of former Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The court granted Jamil bail of RM300,000 and ordered him to surrender his passport. Prosecutors had requested bail of RM1 million.

The charges are part of a wider investigation into the management and operations of Tabung Haji between 2014 and 2020.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into Tabung Haji was made public in July 2026. The report examined allegations involving governance, investment decisions and the management of the institution.

Malaysian authorities subsequently launched investigations based on the findings. Several individuals connected to Tabung Haji and its subsidiaries have faced investigations or court proceedings.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that individuals found responsible for losses or wrongdoing identified in the RCI report should face legal action if there is sufficient evidence. He has also stressed that investigations and prosecutions should be handled by the relevant authorities and courts.

amil has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to all three charges. His legal team is challenging the allegations through the court process.

The charges remain allegations, and Jamil is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.The case forms part of broader legal action following the publication of the Tabung Haji RCI report. Malaysian authorities have said investigations will continue based on evidence contained in the report and other information obtained during the investigation process.

The court proceedings will determine whether the prosecution can establish the charges against Jamil. Until a final court decision is issued, the allegations remain unproven.