Anwar: Government stepped in to save Tabung Haji from bankruptcy

 

The government had no choice but to inject funds into Tabung Haji (TH), as it risked bankruptcy if left to incur further losses, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim NSTP/MOHD FADLI HAMZAH

SEREMBAN: The government had no choice but to inject funds into Tabung Haji (TH), as it risked bankruptcy if left to incur further losses, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

He said the losses involved billions of ringgit belonging to depositors, many of whom were ordinary Malaysians who had diligently saved for years to perform the haj pilgrimage.

"These are the savings of haj pilgrims, the savings of villagers. Billions of ringgit were taken. Even those who saved RM100 a month lost their money.

"Had the government at the time allowed it to continue, Tabung Haji would have gone bankrupt.

"That is why we had to inject funds. Who paid for it? The government repaid it," he said during the Grand Finale Kekal Harapan Negri Sembilan campaign for the Sikamat seat at Betaria Business Centre tonight.

Earlier today, the Cabinet agreed to declassify and make public the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on TH.

Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil had said the report would be tabled and debated at a special Dewan Rakyat sitting in the near future.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, said the Negri Sembilan election was an opportunity for voters to send a clear message against abuse of power and the misappropriation of public assets.

"Send a clear message. Enough is enough. Safeguard this state. Whatever the shortcomings, do not allow the state's and the people's assets to be taken by irresponsible parties," he said. - NST