The decision to table the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into Lembaga Tabung Haji, which identified estimated losses of RM12.5 billion, was made based on policy considerations and the national interest rather than political or election considerations, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the decision to make public the findings on financial mismanagement at the institution was collectively made by the Cabinet after taking into account Tabung Haji’s readiness to address its financial position.
Anwar said the tabling of the report had previously been postponed at Tabung Haji management’s request to allow the institution to restructure its operations and formulate a plan to restore its financial position.
“Tabung Haji asked that we not publicise it at that time. If we had publicised it then…without a solution in place, people would have withdrawn their funds, and Tabung Haji would have been crippled. That was the proposal made by Lembaga Tabung Haji,” he said in the SembangOhhYeahh podcast titled Special Episode: Who is Anwar Ibrahim Really, Beyond the Title of PMX?, which aired on YouTube today.
According to Anwar, Tabung Haji chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain had personally attended a Cabinet meeting to explain the institution’s financial position and propose solutions before the report was eventually tabled.
Anwar also dismissed claims that the tabling of the RCI report was linked to the timing of state elections or the next general election.
He said postponing the report for political reasons would be inappropriate given the consecutive nature of state elections, adding that firm decisions were needed to restore the institution’s integrity.
The Prime Minister stressed that the losses had a significant impact as they involved funds intended to benefit millions of depositors, including prospective Haj pilgrims, farmers, fishermen and the younger generation.
He said tabling the RCI report in Parliament was a transparent step that would allow the findings to be debated openly.
Anwar also said he was prepared for the investigation to be extended to cover the period of his administration.
“There have been suggestions not to stop at 2020, as people are also asking what happened during my time as Prime Minister. I said, ‘Go ahead,’ because if we didn’t steal money, we have nothing to fear. Investigate as much as you like,” he said.
Anwar said he would not interfere in matters involving prosecution or sentencing, leaving such decisions to law enforcement agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), while case outcomes remained under the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
The RCI report, published on July 29, contained findings on the management and governance of Tabung Haji between 2014 and 2020.
A special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat was held on Aug 11 to debate the report.
