Ismail Sabri: RCI to be set up to investigate Lembaga Tabung Haji issues

PUTRAJAYA: A Royal Commission of Inquiry will be set up to investigate issues related to Lembaga Tabung Haji that arose from audits carried out in the board.

Announcing this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the matter was agreed upon at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (July 14).

He said this would involve audits carried out by consultants such as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY) and Roland Berger between 2014 and 2020.

Ismail Sabri said among terms of the RCI that was agreed upon by the Cabinet include its scope, which is to focus on findings by the consultants on issues related to Tabung Haji from 2014 to 2020, but would not involve the Tabung Haji Recovery and Restructuring Plan.

"The RCI is also to determine if there were elements of cover up and if misleading information was provided," he said.

He said the RCI would also recommend appropriate action to be taken against parties that were either directly or indirectly involved in any wrongdoings, or had violated laws.

"The commission is to present to the government its findings and recommendations on the next course of action, if necessary within three months," he said.

The Prime Minister's Department will identify individuals who will be appointed to the RCI.

The recommendation is for experts in the fields of syariah, legal, Islamic banking and investment.

"The setting up of the RCI is necessary so that further investigation can be made on issues that arose. This will also boost the people's confidence towards Tabung Haji," he said.