The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) was not released three years ago as the government feared it could undermine public confidence and trigger mass withdrawals from the pilgrims’ fund board, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar said releasing the report at that time could have caused panic among depositors and potentially destabilised the institution.
“Three years ago, we were not in a position to publish the report. Had we done so, the public could have lost confidence in Tabung Haji and withdrawn their savings.
“However, over the past three years, TH has come under new management led by chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, who has an excellent track record. TH is now back on a strong footing, but the public still deserves to know the truth,” he said during the Semarak Kenegaraan programme at the Army Basic Training Centre (PUSASDA) here.
Anwar said the MADANI Government remained committed to addressing abuse of power and strengthening governance to protect institutions entrusted with public interests, particularly those involving Muslims and the FELDA community.
He also highlighted TH’s recent recovery, noting that the institution was recognised with the Best Haj Management award for this year’s haj season.
The Prime Minister had previously said the government was prepared to release the final RCI report on TH soon, allowing the public to understand the findings of the inquiry into allegations involving the sale of TH’s strategic assets.
He said he would consult Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar on whether the report should first be referred to the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Amanah secretary-general Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, DAP national vice-chairman Syahredzan Johan and PKR deputy secretary-general Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad said the Cabinet should deliberate and decide on the release of the report.
“Pakatan Harapan believes disclosure was necessary in the public interest and in line with the principles of transparency and accountability.
“The public has the right to know the facts so that all outstanding questions can be answered comprehensively based on the official report,” they said in a joint statement.
