SEREMBAN: The move by Lembaga Tabung Haji in paying a big bonus to former top management despite making huge losses is a betrayal of trust, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Describing it as “treachery”, the Prime Minister questioned how rewards could be given without regard for the standing of the institution.
“That was only one of many problems raised in the RCI (Royal Commission of Inquiry) report.
“Personally, I am upset that a religious body had been dishonoured by those entrusted with it.
“A religious institution, an Islamic institution, brought to shame by Malays who were given the trust. To me, that breach of trust is treachery,” he said after Friday prayers at a mosque in Paroi here yesterday.
Anwar was asked about reports that Tabung Haji had paid its senior staff bonuses amounting to 13 months’ salary.
Anwar said the government had published the RCI report in its entirety to allow Muslims and all Malaysians to scrutinise the findings and recommendations, while ensuring lessons could be learnt to prevent similar issues from recurring.
“There was no censorship. The Prime Minister’s Department did not remove any part.
“We published the entire report, including the recommendations and the processes that took place.”
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said those responsible for any wrongdoing must face the full brunt of the law.
He said legal action should proceed through the proper prosecutorial and judicial processes.
On whether he could still work with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Anwar said the ties within the unity government would not be affected by the decision to publish the report in full.
“To be fair, he (Ahmad Zahid) and the Cabinet supported the release of the entire report. So there’s no question about continuing collaboration,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said the wrongdoing exposed in the RCI report was too serious to be weighed against the Negri Sembilan state election.
“It is not a matter of votes, but this is too massive an issue.
“Whether voters can grasp it in a short time is a separate matter. For me, win or lose, this cannot be tolerated,” he said.
Anwar said he had also asked for the inquiry to look beyond its original time frame.
He said the report centred on events up to 2014, when Bank Negara Malaysia issued an early warning, with a further warning in 2017.
“Do not close it off at 2017. I think it is better this way.
“This time, let us not pretend. Those responsible must be investigated and charged,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet agreed to declassify the report, which is to be tabled at a special sitting on Aug 11.
