Malaysian authorities charged former religious affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom with misappropriating 860 million ringgit ($210 million) from the Muslim pilgrimage fund Tabung Haji, making him the second United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) leader charged in weeks. The 65-year-old pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court and was granted bail at 300,000 ringgit. UMNO is part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s multi-coalition government, but ties with his Pakatan Harapan coalition have badly frayed.

Last week, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Tabung Haji’s former chairman, was also charged with graft. Former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and ex-Human Resources Minister Saravanan Murugan were charged last month following Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigations. Tensions escalated after Anwar’s coalition and UMNO competed in state polls in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, which Anwar lost.

Anwar has vowed to ramp up anti-corruption efforts and declassified a royal inquiry into Tabung Haji in July. Relations between Anwar and UMNO chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who serves as Deputy Prime Minister, have reportedly deteriorated. Zahid recently called for an early general election.

Barisan Nasional holds 30 parliamentary seats, and any exit would strip Anwar of his supermajority. The next election is not due until February 2028, and Anwar is reportedly considering delaying polls to rebuild electoral momentum.