Harapan pushes back as Umno-PAS seek new tit-for-tat Tabung Haji RCI

 

Pakatan Harapan leaders are pushing back against calls by Umno and PAS for a second royal commission of inquiry into Tabung Haji.

The push by the “Malay unity” partners appears aimed at shifting the focus away from the first RCI’s findings, which have been used against Umno, and towards scrutinising the Harapan government’s efforts to rescue the pilgrimage fund.

The proposal to investigate Tabung Haji’s management from 2018 to the present came from an audience member at a forum yesterday that sought to “clarify” facts about the RCI. The event was backed by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

Takiyuddin said a new RCI should examine perceived discrepancies in the first commission’s findings, including its recommendation for a forensic audit of the purchase of shares in Tabung Haji’s plantation assets, despite the MACC saying in 2021 that it found no wrongdoing.

Umno supreme council member Razlan Rafii reportedly said the proposed RCI should cover the period after what was examined by the first commission, focusing on whether there was any misappropriation when Tabung Haji assets were sold and their current status.

This appears to refer to the Finance Ministry’s decision in 2018 to transfer more than RM19.9 billion in underperforming Tabung Haji assets to a government-owned special purpose vehicle (SPV) to rescue the ailing fund.

The transfer has long been criticised by BN and PAS, particularly because DAP’s Lim Guan Eng was finance minister at the time.

The transfer to the SPV, Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd (UJSB), was examined by the Tabung Haji RCI, which found it to be a necessary interim measure to save the fund.

The RCI, which covered 2014 to 2020, also made recommendations concerning UJSB, including restructuring the sukuk issued by the government to Tabung Haji in exchange for the assets so they could be traded.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh also backed a second RCI in a Facebook post this morning, saying it should examine UJSB.

“If you want to expose (wrongdoing), expose all of it, not just some of it,” he said.

‘What do Umno and PAS actually want?’

Commenting on Umno and PAS’ apparent rejection of the first Tabung Haji RCI, DAP vice-chairperson Syahredzan Johan noted that an Umno-PAS government had established the commission following pressure from the two parties.

“They pressured, they agreed to establish (the RCI), now they are questioning it,” he said on Threads last night.

DAP vice-chair Syahredzan Johan

PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim questioned what Umno and PAS actually wanted.

“Is there a need to establish a new RCI until they get results that they want?

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“RCIs are not a tool to find results that side with any political party. RCIs are established to find the truth based on facts, documents, and testimony,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Kamil said the Madani government was not afraid of the truth and warned against abusing institutions such as RCIs.

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer likewise called on Umno to “stop the charades”.

“This charade by Umno must stop. It’s dangerous, especially when our king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has decreed that the findings of the RCI on Tabung Haji must be comprehensively investigated and those responsible prosecuted,” he said.

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer

Perak DAP vice-chairperson Abdul Aziz Bari said Umno and PAS’ forum and calls for a second RCI were at odds with the Agong’s decree.

In a statement today, the Tebing Tinggi assemblyperson called on enforcement authorities to “act” immediately, although he did not elaborate on what action should be taken against Umno and PAS.

“It should be noted that the Tabung Haji scandal is an issue that affects the interests of all races in Malaysia.

“This is because the move to save Tabung Haji has involved the entire public, especially taxpayers,” he added.

With BN and PN on a trajectory to form the next federal government should they be able to sustain their current cooperation and momentum, a second Tabung Haji RCI could be likely and may be weaponised against Harapan.

With BN and PN on a trajectory to form the next federal government if they can sustain their current cooperation and momentum, a second Tabung Haji RCI could become a reality - and potentially be weaponised against Harapan. - Mkini