PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has linked criticism of alleged misconduct at Tabung Haji to what he claimed was an attempt to tarnish Islam’s image.
In a lengthy article shared today, Hadi also drew a comparison with the Penang undersea tunnel case involving Lim Guan Eng, although he did not name the former Penang chief minister.
“As for the Penang undersea tunnel case, its trial is halfway through, then silent, and rarely brought up,” he said.
Lim, a former DAP secretary-general, was charged in 2020 with using his position to obtain RM3.3 million in gratification for himself.
He was accused of helping a company owned by Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli secure a contract for the construction of major roads and the Penang undersea tunnel, worth RM6.34 billion, between January 2011 and August 2017.
The Bagan MP was also charged with soliciting 10 percent of the profits Zarul’s company would receive as a reward for securing the project.
In addition, Lim faces two charges of causing the disposal of two plots of Penang government land, valued at RM208.8 million, to developer companies linked to the tunnel project.
Singled out for greater scrutiny
Hadi claimed the Tabung Haji issue had been amplified by “a handful” of people who exaggerated the matter with the malicious intent of shaming Malay-Muslims over misconduct.
“We do not deny that there are Islamic financial institutions that commit transgressions and misconduct, but business institutions like GLCs and others, whose misconduct and corruption are many times worse, are swept under the carpet.
“Therefore, Tabung Haji’s wrongdoings are made into headlines because its Islamic brand is targeted,” he claimed.
The Marang MP said that compared to the small number of detractors, Tabung Haji’s success was owed to “many times more” contributors.
“There are too many government and semi-government business institutions suffering losses due to leaks under someone touted as the best finance minister, including among secular politicians who separate themselves from religion by abusing their political positions.
“The group most targeted for action is those with Malay and Islamic brands, from the largest to the smallest, to lower the image of Islam, as if there are none (wrongdoers) from among non-Muslims and non-Malays.
“In fact, economic activities are greater among non-Muslims and non-Malays, especially mega-sized ones that are contributors to corruption,” Hadi said.
Bonuses, political interference
The royal commission of inquiry report into Tabung Haji, made public last month, found that high bonuses were paid to staff and board members of Tabung Haji Properties without complying with established regulations.
The RM2.19 million in bonuses paid to selected directors and officers of the subsidiary was approved without following the required legal procedures.
The report also highlighted political interference and the involvement of Umno leaders on Tabung Haji’s board.
Several decisions, including profit distributions (hibah), haj payments, and Haji Financial Assistance, were found to have been influenced by political considerations.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last week defended his use of “sakau” (stealing) to describe the alleged misappropriation at Tabung Haji. - Mkini
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