Former religious affairs minister faces three charges involving Tabung Haji funds sent to Saudi company.

A major Tabung Haji case has reached Malaysia’s courts, with former religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom denying three charges involving more than RM860 million in funds disposed of to Saudi real estate companies.

Jamil Khir Pleads Not Guilty
Former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, 65, pleaded not guilty on September 14 to three charges of dishonestly causing Lembaga Tabung Haji to dispose of RM860,308,770.51 in funds to Saudi real estate companies. The alleged offenses took place while he served as religious affairs minister in 2015, 2016 and 2017, according to the charges read before Sessions Court Judge Rosli Ahmad.

Three Charges Cover RM42.9 Million to RM529.2 Million
The first charge alleges that Jamil caused Tabung Haji to dispose of RM42,942,074, equivalent to SAR44.17 million, to Al-Rawda Real Estate Development and Projects Management Co. Ltd on April 3, 2015. The second involves RM288,172,134.64, equivalent to SAR250.04 million, on December 14, 2016, while the third concerns RM529,194,561.87, equivalent to SAR471.85 million, on August 17, 2017. All three alleged offenses took place at his ministerial office in Putrajaya.

Court Sets Bail at RM300,000
The three charges were framed under Section 403 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of between six months and five years, whipping and a fine upon conviction. Prosecutors requested bail of RM1 million because of the amount involved, while Jamil’s lawyer sought a lower figure. The court ultimately set bail at RM300,000 and ordered Jamil to surrender his passport and other relevant travel documents.

Charges Follow Tabung Haji Investigation
Jamil was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on September 1 and initially remanded for five days, followed by a two-day extension. The investigation was linked to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the management and governance of Tabung Haji, including matters involving decisions made during Jamil’s tenure.

Jamil Says He Will Clear His Name
After being released on bail, Jamil said he intended to clear his name through the court process, according to the New Straits Times. He has previously maintained that decisions made while he was minister followed Tabung Haji’s established procedures and were based on recommendations from its board. The allegations remain before the court, and Jamil has pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

The case places renewed attention on the management and governance of Tabung Haji funds while the allegations are tested through Malaysia’s judicial process. For Malaysians, the proceedings concern decisions involving their national hajj fund, while Indonesians and Singaporeans following regional legal and governance developments may also watch how the court handles the high-value case. Jamil remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless convicted.

Sources: NST (2026) , Malay Mail (2026)

Keywords: Jamil Khir Charges, Tabung Haji Funds, Malaysia Court Case, Al Rawda Real Estate, MACC Investigation, Saudi Real Estate