No room to hide for those who undermined Tabung Haji, says PKR Youth

 PKR Youth vice-chief Dr Taufiq Johari calls for the authorities to track down the irresponsible parties 'to the ends of the earth'.

A royal commission of inquiry into Tabung Haji found that politicians were involved in senior positions at the board, and key decisions were made based on political considerations.

PETALING JAYA:

Those responsible for undermining Tabung Haji, which has reportedly been plagued by management irregularities, can no longer hide behind their political positions or influence, regardless of party affiliation, a PKR Youth leader said.

PKR Youth vice-chief Dr Taufiq Johari called for a comprehensive investigation into the findings by a royal commission of inquiry into the pilgrims’ fund’s affairs and urged the authorities to track down the irresponsible parties “to the ends of the earth”.

Dr Taufiq Johari.

Taufiq said the royal commission had noted the involvement of politicians in senior positions at TH and that key decisions were made based on political considerations, Bernama reported.

In its 2017 financial report TH reported a profit of about RM3.4 billion, whereas its actual position showed a net loss of RM1.4 billion after adjustments.

“What happened to TH is not merely a case of financial irregularities, but a betrayal of the trust placed in it by the Muslim community,” Taufiq was quoted as saying.

“Those who have betrayed and undermined TH, which belongs to Muslims, can no longer hide behind their positions or political influence, regardless of which party they belong to.”

Taufiq also called for the special enforcement task force, led by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, to trace the flow of funds and prosecute those responsible.

He said the investigation should focus on three-key areas, including weaknesses in governance and political interference as well as the distribution of hibah that did not reflect the institution’s actual financial position.

The royal commission’s 252-page report into TH’s management and operations from 2014 to 2020 was completed in July 2022. It was made public recently.

The commission traced the roots of TH’s financial problems to political interference in board appointments, unsustainable hibah payouts, and the national audit department softening its findings over concerns about depositors’ confidence in the pilgrims fund board. - FMT