KUALA LUMPUR – Former religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa has questioned the Perikatan Nasional administration’s decision to leave out Lembaga Tabung Haji’s (TH) restructuring plan in a royal commission of inquiry announced yesterday.
He expressed surprise that the plan, approved by the previous Pakatan Harapan cabinet, was not included in the RCI, as it was drafted based on the summary of findings provided by the audit firms named.
“I support the setting up of the RCI, but its panel needs to comprise qualified experts.
“The RCI needs to be transparent and professional, free of political agenda. If I’m called up to testify, I’m prepared to disclose the steps and actions taken by the PH government to save TH, including police reports lodged on the individuals involved in the misappropriation of its funds.
“During the 22 months I was entrusted with looking after TH, the team and I used the reports issued by the audit firms to see through the restructuring plan after the fund’s financials and integrity were in dire straits.”
He said he ensured that dividend withdrawals complied with the Tabung Haji Act 1995 and closed the RM4 billion deficit gap between assets and liabilities as stated in the 2017 audit report.
“The restructuring plan was introduced in a transparent manner and received cabinet approval, and was also presented in Parliament.”
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the PN cabinet has agreed to form an RCI to investigate issues involving the TH board, following an audit by firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and Roland Berger between 2014 and last year.
Among the terms agreed to by the cabinet are:
- The RCI will focus on findings by the audit firms on issues concerning TH between 2014 and 2020, but will not include its ongoing restructuring and recovery plan;
- To determine whether there was a “cover-up” of information regarding the issues that were brought up, as well as concerning the issuance of confusing statements during the same period;
- To recommend the appropriate action against parties who were directly or indirectly involved, if any were found to have contravened laws, without affecting any ongoing investigations by the authorities. This step is to ensure the overall improvement and administration of TH; and,
- Submitting a report on its findings to the government along with recommendations, if necessary, within three months.
Ismail Sabri said the Prime Minister’s Department will identify individuals, comprising experts in fields such as shariah law, and Islamic banking and investment, to be part of the RCI.
“Further details regarding the RCI’s formation, reference and membership will be announced soon.”
He added that the RCI is necessary so that a further probe can be conducted into the matters raised, and the report can be submitted to the government to restore the pilgrims’ fund’s image and public confidence.– The Vibes, July 15, 2021
