Malaysia

‘If they're innocent, defend them, If they're guilty, prosecute them’ - PM

The Prime Minister stresses that any wrongdoing must be dealt with through Malaysia’s constitutional and judicial processes rather than political intervention

Updated 1 hour ago · Published on 27 Jul 2026 2:58PM

‘If they're innocent, defend them, If they're guilty, prosecute them’ - PM
Anwar to seek cabinet approval to release Tabung Haji RCI report to the public on Wednesday (Photo from NSTP) - July 27, 2026

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed hope that the Cabinet will make a final decision at its meeting this Wednesday to release the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to the public.

Speaking at the Semarak Kenegaraan Programme at Dewan Garisson, Kem Syed Sirajuddin in Gemas, Anwar said the public should be allowed to scrutinise the findings if the report is declassified.

"If they have done nothing wrong, defend them. If they have committed an offence, prosecute them. If they are convicted and sentenced to prison, then they should go to prison. That is not my concern.

"Our system provides that investigations are carried out by the investigating authorities, prosecutions are undertaken by the Attorney General, and judgments are delivered by the judges," he said.

Anwar stressed that decisions relating to investigations, prosecutions and sentencing must remain within the remit of the relevant institutions, underscoring that the government should not interfere with the legal process.

The Prime Minister said he was committed to ensuring that every stage of the process fully complied with the Federal Constitution and the rule of law.

"I raised this issue (the RCI on Tabung Haji) because, in my view, the country cannot safeguard its peace and stability if those entrusted with responsibility betray that trust," he said.

His remarks come a day after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi publicly backed the proposal to release the RCI report.

Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, further called for the report to be removed from the scope of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), paving the way for its disclosure to the public.

Also present at the event were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Chief of Defence Forces Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman - July 27, 2026

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