PETALING JAYA: The timing of the release of the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report could have an impact on the Negri Sembilan polls and even the next general election, say a political analyst and opposition parties.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Dr Mazlan Ali said the release could have political implications for some parties in the unity government, given the report’s focus on governance and integrity.
“When the findings are tabled and debated in Parliament, an official and highly visible forum, the political effect will be even more pronounced,” he said.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari questioned the delay in releasing the report, as the RCI had completed its probe.
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“The government even agreed that investigations by the authorities should resume immediately and that anyone found to have broken the law will be brought to justice,” said the Pasir Mas MP.
He said reforms should be implemented immediately and that the report should not just be used for political interests.
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin said the government should release the full RCI report to the public and give all MPs ample opportunity to debate its findings and recommendations.
“TH was established on the aspirations of Muslims seeking to save money in accordance with Syariah principles so they could perform the haj, the fifth pillar of Islam,” he noted.
“For many of them, the money entrusted to the institution is not merely ordinary savings but the product of years of hard work and sacrifice, accumulated with the intention of fulfilling a religious obligation.”
Radzi also urged the government to commit to implementing viable proposals put forward by MPs to improve TH.
He said the Cabinet’s decision to make the RCI report public and table it at a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat was a positive step.
