Agong: Probe Tabung Haji RCI findings 'to the ends of the earth'

 

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has called for investigations into the findings of the royal commission of inquiry on Lembaga Tabung Haji to be pursued “hingga ke lubang cacing” (to the ends of the earth).

In a post on His Majesty’s official Facebook page, he said investigations must be comprehensive, and no party found responsible should be spared action.

“No one should escape action if they are found guilty. What is important is that something like this must not happen again,” said the king.

Sultan Ibrahim said firm action was necessary to ensure those responsible were held accountable and to prevent similar problems from recurring.

The king made the remarks after granting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim an audience at Istana Bukit Tunku today.

The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, saw Sultan Ibrahim briefed on the contents of the RCI report as well as current issues involving the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

Governance failures, political interference

The 211-page RCI report, released on July 29, identified serious governance failures, political interference and questionable accounting practices as among the factors that contributed to Tabung Haji’s financial difficulties between 2014 and 2020.

Among other findings, the six-member commission chaired by former chief justice Raus Sharif found that weaknesses in the Tabung Haji Act 1995 granted excessive powers to the minister responsible for religious affairs, particularly in appointments to the Tabung Haji board and senior management.

It also found that the appointment of active politicians to senior positions between 2014 and 2018 fuelled perceptions of political interference and undermined confidence in the institution.

According to the commission, political considerations influenced key financial decisions, including the distribution of hibah, haj payments and the provision of Haj Financial Support.

The RCI also highlighted questionable accounting practices during the period and recommended amendments to the law, including measures to prevent active politicians from holding leadership positions in Tabung Haji or its subsidiaries.

The commission was established following a cabinet decision in July 2021 to investigate issues arising from Tabung Haji’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020.

Its scope included determining whether information had been concealed or whether misleading statements had been made regarding matters concerning the pilgrimage fund.

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Investigations revived

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When declassifying the report on July 29, the cabinet also ordered enforcement agencies to immediately resume investigations based on its findings, with those found to have broken the law to be brought to justice.

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the RCI had made 25 recommendations for improvements, about 75 percent of which had been implemented by Tabung Haji’s current management.

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil

Anwar previously said the report had not been released about three years earlier because the government feared its disclosure could undermine public confidence and trigger mass withdrawals by depositors.

He said Tabung Haji was now on firmer footing under its current management, allowing the findings to be made public.

A special Dewan Rakyat sitting is scheduled for Aug 11 to debate the report. - Mkini