Malaysian tycoon faces graft charges as stalled KL airport highway sinks deeper in turmoil

KUALA LUMPUR - A highway project that was once touted as a vital link to ease traffic to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) but has stalled since 2019 is now in deeper turmoil after a director of its developer was charged with corruption.

Maju Holdings director Abu Sahid Mohamed, once a key player in Malaysia’s highway concessions, was charged on Sept 8 with four counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM313 million (S$95.2 million) and 13 counts of money laundering amounting to RM139 million.

The charges are linked to the unfinished construction of a 16.8km highway extension to the Maju Expressway (MEX) that would have connected the administrative capital Putrajaya to KLIA.

The offences allegedly occurred between 2016 and 2019, while he was a director of the company.

The 74-year-old, who came to the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur in a wheelchair and with an oxygen tank, pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was quoted by the local media replying to the court each time: “I understand... Not guilty.”

The charges fell under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, and the Penal Code, which carries potential prison sentences of up to 20 years and fines.

Judge Suzana Hussin set bail at RM1.5 million and ordered Abu Sahid to surrender his passport. The case has been fixed for case management on Nov 3.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib later said Abu Sahid will also face seven charges of abetting in the misappropriation of property worth RM145 million.

“The new charges will be filed soon,” the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecutor said in a statement.

Abu Sahid’s wife, Noor Azrina Mohd Azmi, was also charged separately on the same day with money laundering of RM67.1 million. If found guilty, she could face up to 15 years in prison, and a fine of at least five times the amount laundered or RM5 million, whichever is higher.

The 48-year-old also pleaded not guilty. Bail was fixed at RM500,000 and her passport was also ordered to be surrendered.

Lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik represented both of them.

The highway, called MEX II, was planned to be an extension of the 26km, three-lane dual carriageway MEX, which links Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya. The extension was expected to shorten the driving time from Putrajaya to KLIA, which is currently around 30 minutes with smooth traffic.

MEX II had raised RM1.3 billion by issuing sukuk – or syariah-compliant bonds – in 2016 to build the highway.

It was due for completion in December 2019 after construction began in 2016, but the project has been left in limbo for nearly six years, delaying what was supposed to be a faster route to the KLIA.

The Edge had reported in May 2025 that on paper, the project was already 89 per cent complete, though it added that this was unconfirmed.

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi told Malaysia’s Parliament in end-July that the federal government was finalising its discussions with the receivers and managers of MEX II so that the project could continue.