UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) will not shield anyone implicated in wrongdoing at Lembaga Tabung Haji, party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, as Parliament prepares to debate the findings of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) next week.
Ahmad Zahid said there would be no compromise if the RCI uncovered corruption, criminal breach of trust, governance failures or other misconduct involving any individual or group.
“I do not think we should compromise if such negative elements are found to have occurred,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also BN chairman.
He stressed that those found responsible must face the consequences. Should the inquiry find no wrongdoing, however, the report would serve mainly as a set of recommendations to improve the management and governance of the pilgrims’ fund.
The RCI report is scheduled to be tabled and debated in the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 11, where lawmakers are expected to scrutinise its findings and discuss possible follow-up action.
Ahmad Zahid was responding to remarks by former UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who said on the Keluar Sekejap podcast that the party must acknowledge shortcomings in the management of Tabung Haji under the BN administration between 2014 and 2017.
Khairy’s comments followed the release of the RCI report last week, renewing scrutiny over the institution’s past governance and the accountability of those involved.
