PORT DICKSON: The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) was not released three years ago because the government wanted to avoid undermining public confidence in the pilgrims' fund board, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said publishing the report at the time could have triggered panic among depositors, leading to a mass withdrawal of funds that might have destabilised TH.
"Three years ago, we were not in a position to publish the report. Had we done so, the public could have lost confidence in Tabung Haji and withdrawn their savings.
"However, over the past three years, TH has come under new management led by chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, who has an excellent track record. TH is now back on a strong footing, but the public still deserves to know the truth," he said during the Semarak Kenegaraan programme at the Army Basic Training Centre (PUSASDA) here on Friday (July 24).
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman and Army chief General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman.
In his speech, the Prime Minister also highlighted TH's recovery, noting that the institution had recently been recognised with the Best Haj Management award for this year's haj season.
On Thursday (July 23), Anwar said the government was prepared to release the final RCI report on TH soon to allow the public to learn the findings of the inquiry into allegations involving the sale of TH's strategic assets.
The Prime Minister said he would consult the Chief Secretary to the Government on whether the report needed to be referred to the Cabinet first. – Bernama
