Ex-UiTM Holdings CEO pleads not guilty to RM37.37m criminal breach of trust

KUALA LUMPUR — Former UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Azlizan Fadzil claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM37.37 million nine years ago.

Azlizan, 53, who arrived in a wheelchair and was clad in a light blue shirt, entered his plea after the charge was read out to him before Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin.

Due to his physical condition, he was permitted to sit outside the dock.

“Not guilty”, he said firmly when asked for his plea.

According to the charge sheet, Azlizan, in his capacity as CEO of UiTM Holdings, was entrusted with control over RM37,374,612.68 earmarked specifically for investment in the development of a 50-megawatt (MW) large-scale solar photovoltaic power plant in Gambang, Pahang.

He is accused of committing criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating the funds through various unauthorized payments outside the project’s intended purpose.

The offense was allegedly committed at the Affin Bank Berhad branch in UiTM Shah Alam between Feb 2 and Oct 2, 2017.

The charge, framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code for CBT by a public servant or agent, carries a mandatory imprisonment term of between two and 20 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Law Chin How, appearing alongside Atirah Mohd Azuarizanuddin, proposed bail at RM100,000 with an additional condition that the accused report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office once every three months.

“Considering the value of the offense involves over RM30 million and this is a high-profile case involving UiTM’s reputation, solar energy projects, and allegations of public fund leakages, these conditions are not unreasonable,” Law argued.

However, defense counsel Hasshahari Johari Mawi urged the court to lower the bail amount to RM20,000, citing his client’s severe medical condition involving brain and body impairment.

Hasshahari said a medical report detailing the accused’s health status had been submitted to the court, adding that the prosecution acknowledged receiving the report, which indicated that Azlizan suffered a stroke and cognitive impairment.

“Health factors are among the main considerations the court should weigh, as my client no longer earns an income after leaving his position and is fully supported by his wife and family members,” he submitted.

“The family, particularly the wife, also has to support seven children aged between 14 and 21 who are all still studying,” Hasshahari added.

He maintained there was zero flight risk given his client’s fragile condition, as he relies entirely on his wife and family and is incapable of living independently. He also offered the surrender of Azlizan’s passport to the court.

Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir allowed bail at RM50,000 with two sureties and imposed additional conditions: Azlizan must surrender his passport, report to the nearest MACC office once every three months, and refrain from tampering with any witnesses.

The court fixed Nov 3 for case mention.

MACC previously disclosed that a former top executive of a corporation would be charged over losses suffered by UHSB, including alleged abuse of power involving operational expense payments to several companies amounting to approximately RM42 million.

The anti-graft agency stated in a release that the suspect, a man in his 50s, was arrested around 1pm yesterday at his residence in the Klang Valley. Initial investigations revealed the suspect allegedly made operational payments in 2017 to several companies in which he was believed to have an interest. – October 1, 2026