He arrived at court at 10.35am dressed in orange lock-up attire and escorted by several Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers.

He was greeted by about 50 supporters, led by Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam, who had gathered outside the court since 8am.

Azeez was arrested at the MACC headquarters yesterday after being called in for questioning in investigations under Section 16 of the MACC Act for allegedly soliciting bribes.

His brother, who was also arrested yesterday, was seen arriving at court shortly after him.

In May, MACC seized RM500,000 in cash from Azeez’s home as part of a probe into the appointment of contractors in Tabung Haji projects. Azeez was the former chairman of the Muslim pilgrims fund.

An MACC source said the case was also being probed under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

It was reported that MACC had conducted raids at Azeez’s houses in Subang and Baling as well as his office on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Kuala Lumpur, on May 23.

Azeez said part of the RM500,000 seized by MACC was to finance a mission to Gaza, Palestine, which he had planned for after the general election on May 9.

Another portion of the money was meant for the Baling Umno division, to be given to constituents for Ramadan and Aidilfitri, he said.

Besides the cash, he said, MACC officers also seized watches and some foreign currency.