‘Mere politics’ behind calls for new Tabung Haji probes, says Puad

 The former Umno Supreme Council member said the calls were made in order to dismiss the findings of an RCI which were declassified in July.

Former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi (in red) at a forum in Johor Bahru today. Also on the panel was Amanah deputy president Mujahid Yusof Rawa (in blue). (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Calls for new investigations into irregularities at Tabung Haji were mere politics aimed at dismissing the findings of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI), said former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi.

“The RCI report should not be politicised and action must be taken against the culprits,” he said at a public forum in Johor Bahru on the affairs of the pilgrims’ fund.

His remarks were in response to a call by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for a new investigation by the Public Accounts Committee, while Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan called for another RCI to investigate TH affairs in the subsequent periods to the first report.

The report, declassified in July, showed a government bailout of almost RM20 billion to cover losses caused by poor investments, weak decision-making, misconduct of former directors and suspicious approval processes. Four people have been charged, including a former chairman, with a former minister also expected to face charges.

On the meaning of ‘sakau’

Puad described the RCI report as exemplary as it exposed mismanagement, presented 75 recommendations and proposed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the police begin investigations. He noted that several people had been charged.

He said the act of “sakau” (looting or embezzlement of public funds) should not be narrowly defined. “Sakau isn’t just about embezzling funds,” he said. Violations of the Tabung Haji Act, receiving excessive allowances or distributing hibah at high rates despite the fund’s strained finances were also a form of “sakau”.

His reference to “sakau” appeared to be a response to Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh who called for proof of claims that there was theft of TH funds. Akmal had also questioned whether the provision of high dividends to depositors and subsidies for pilgrims’ costs could be considered “sakau”. - fmt