Tabung Haji RCI report showed where 'sakau' took place, Mujahid says

 

Former religious affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa has hit back at Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s question over who allegedly “looted” Tabung Haji, saying the royal commission of inquiry report had already identified cases warranting action.

“You cheat Muslims of their money, but you don’t call that looting. You falsify the accounts of Muslims, but you don’t call that looting.

“And don’t forget, the RCI also mentioned and urged, among its recommendations, that action be taken against whom?

“Against the cases that had been reported within Tabung Haji. That is the looting, because there was no oversight.

“There was no sense of responsibility, with everyone looking for what they could gain for themselves,” said the Amanah deputy president on the “Kini Jelas” podcast produced by KiniTV.

On July 30, Akmal questioned who actually “looted” Tabung Haji funds, arguing that the RCI report did not clearly identify anyone and instead focused on governance weaknesses.

The report did not accuse any Umno politician of misappropriation, corruption, or theft.

Akmal and other critics also took aim at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s use of the term “sakau” (steal), noting that it did not appear in the RCI report.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh

However, the report raised concerns over political interference stemming from the appointment of several Umno leaders to Tabung Haji’s board, including former chairperson Abdul Azeez Rahim.

Azeez has maintained that he did not have absolute authority over Tabung Haji’s operations, as he served as a non-executive chairperson from 2013 to 2018.

Officers face action

The RCI report also revealed that five Tabung Haji officers faced disciplinary action over four clusters of cases: the sale of shares in PT TH Indo Plantations, a RM22.12 million contribution to Yayasan Tabung Haji without prior ministerial approval, the declaration of hibah for the 2017 financial year, and false claims.

The five were former group chief financial officer Rozaida Omar, chief operating officer Adi Azuan Abdul Ghani, senior general manager for corporate services and properties Rifina Ariff, chief human resources officer Hisham Harun, and legal adviser Hazlina Khalid.

Mujahid, who previously faced heavy criticism over Tabung Haji’s asset sales during his tenure, said the move was part of efforts to rescue the institution.

“Until today, what they don’t understand is that the assets were not sold for fun; the assets were not sold on a whim, but the assets were sold as part of the process of saving Tabung Haji.” - Mkini