He said that if the report had indeed been completed several years ago, the government should not have waited until the election season to make it public.
He said that Umno was among the earliest parties to call for the establishment of the RCI to investigate allegations of misconduct and negative perceptions surrounding the institution at the time.
"If the (RCI) report is already complete, why is it only being publicised during the Negri Sembilan state election?
"If you want to release it, release it now. Don't wait any longer. Why only now?" he asked when commenting on the disclosure of the report.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the 2026 Mara Women and Community Empowerment Programme for the Rasah division here today.
He said he had never heard any justification that the report was allegedly delayed to protect Umno, as claimed by Parti Bersatu Malaysia president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
Instead, he reiterated that Umno had been among the strongest advocates for the establishment of the RCI.
"We pushed for the RCI because there were too many false accusations and allegations claiming that Tabung Haji had suffered losses and that depositors' funds had been misappropriated.
"Tabung Haji is an institution that is very close to the hearts of Muslims. That is why we wanted all these allegations to be investigated so the public could know the truth," he said.
He added that if the report had been finalised, the government should make it public and take action against anyone found guilty, regardless of their position.
"If it is true that there were people who stole money, as mentioned by the prime minister, then take action.
"Don't simply play on public sentiment and create various perceptions among the people.
"In the end, the public will see this as nothing more than cheap political campaigning," he said.
In a related development, Asyraf is seeking RM5 million in damages from two individuals whom he alleges defamed him by linking him to the issue.
He said his lawyer, Datuk Adnan Seman, had been instructed to issue letters of demand to the two individuals over the alleged defamatory statements.
They are Amanah Central Leadership Council member Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh and social media account owner Abied Abdullah.
Asyraf said the letters of demand require both parties to issue a public apology, retract the allegedly defamatory statements, provide a written undertaking not to repeat the allegations, and pay RM5 million in damages.
"What does this Tabung Haji RCI have to do with me when I was among those who pushed for the RCI to be established?
"This concerns my reputation and integrity. Defamation is something I will never compromise on," he said.
Also present was Mara Council member Datuk Rosni Sohar. - NST
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