KUALA LUMPUR: Gombak MP Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has called for a special multi-agency task force to investigate alleged misconduct and financial irregularities surrounding Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).
Amirudin, who is also Selangor Mentri Besar, said the task force should comprise enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Bank Negara and the Securities Commission.
“This is because the matter does not only involve offences under the TH Act, but has also tarnished the image of Malaysia, a country that has long been highly respected,” he said when debating the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report during the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Tuesday (Aug 11).
Amirudin also raised questions over TH’s acquisition of a 30% stake in Putrajaya Perdana Bhd in November 2014 and the subsequent appointment of its chairman as chairman of the company in January 2015.
He said the matter warranted further scrutiny given the links involving the flow of an estimated RM140mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd to several companies linked to Putrajaya Perdana.
“My question is, how much of the depositors’ savings with TH was ultimately used to pay 1MDB’s debts and cover up the company’s misconduct since 2014?” he said.
He also questioned what investment assessment reports had been relied upon by TH’s management and whether there had been political pressure for the funds to be used without complying with the institution’s investment requirements and criteria.
Amirudin further called for scrutiny of individuals who held roles in TH while also being involved in companies linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and SRC International.
“If TH funds were involved, this represents a compounding and doubling of the betrayal of the people.
“A national institution, or funds from a national fund, were used to cover up one wrongdoing with another. This should be dealt with firmly and decisively.”
