BN, PH lawmakers push for new Tabung Haji RCI

 BN’s Isam Isa wants a fresh probe covering 2021 to 2025, while PH's RSN Rayer wants any new inquiry to name those responsible for the pilgrim fund's problems.

The RCI report on Tabung Haji was declassified and released to the public on July 29, about four years after the commission completed its inquiry in July 2022. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Two lawmakers from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have called for a fresh royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the management and operations of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).

Speaking during the Dewan Rakyat debate on the existing TH RCI report, Isam Isa (BN-Tampin) said the scope of the inquiry under scrutiny covered only 2014 to 2020 and overlooked significant developments at TH since then.

“The RCI period should have been extended at least until 2025. Therefore, I urge that a new RCI be held for the period from 2021 to 2025 to identify weaknesses in the management and operations of TH during that period,” he said.

RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) also made a similar call, saying a new RCI should identify those responsible for its financial and management problems.

He said the existing RCI was incomplete as it did not identify those who should be held accountable or face further action, including being charged in court.

Isam, who is a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), also proposed referring TH’s management and governance from 2022 to 2026 to the PAC for further scrutiny.

The PAC would help identify and rectify any weaknesses in the institution’s management, he added.

The RCI report on TH was tabled this morning at a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat.

The report was declassified and released to the public on July 29, about four years after the commission completed its inquiry in July 2022.

It unveiled serious weaknesses in the pilgrim fund’s governance, investment and financial management, and recommended a major overhaul in the organisation. - FMT