(May 11): The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) wants the Tabung Haji board members who sit on the 1MDB board to resign immediately.

It also wants Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to quit his post after his confusing statements on the purchase of land at the Tun Razak Exchange in the capital.

Abim president Amidi Abd Manan made the demand in a memorandum addressed to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom today.

"We demand Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez resign due to his confusing statements. First over his denial. It is shameful that a day after (TH) management admitted it," he said referring to the earlier denial by Azeez of the purchase of land from 1MDB.

The memorandum was received by Tabung Haji acting chief operating officer Adi Azuan Abdul Ghani.

He said in order to clean Tabung Haji from any form of 1MDB manipulation, all top executives in Tabung Haji management who had links with 1MDB must resign too.

"This will prevent any conflict of interest from happening again in Tabung Haji’s future transaction."

Amidi wants Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir, who is in charge of Islamic Affairs, to issue a statement on the matter.

When asked what would happen if Azeez refused to resign, he said they would keep pushing on the matter.

"If this thing doesn't happen, it will create anger among the public, and if it takes too long, it will tarnish Tabung Haji's credibility and integrity."

Tabung Haji has been under fire over reports that it had purchased a plot of land from debt-ridden 1MDB for RM188.5 million.

Critics questioned whether the deal was a bid to bail out the troubled state-owned investment firm, and noted how several executives and board members of Tabung Haji also held positions in 1MDB. – The Malaysian Insider