PETALING JAYA: The declassification and tabling of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on the management of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has provided a transparent platform for public scrutiny, says Barisan Nasional.
Barisan said the report, which was tabled and debated in the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 11, should now be examined objectively based on facts and evidence rather than being used for political blame.
"There is nothing to hide from the public, particularly the 10 million Tabung Haji depositors.
"The fact that the RCI report was declassified, tabled openly and debated by Members of Parliament proves that the process of transparency has been carried out through legitimate national institutions," said Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir in a statement on Thursday (Aug 13).
He said the RCI was a mechanism established under national law to investigate matters of public interest and its findings should be respected as part of the institutional process.
Zambry said the RCI focused on the period from 2014 to 2020 and called for a comprehensive review of TH’s governance across other periods as well.
"This should include developments and decisions after 2020, including the role played by Urusharta Jemaah Sdn Bhd since its establishment until today," he said.
He said the RCI findings on governance, power structures, separation of functions and checks and balances should be used as a basis to strengthen TH rather than for short-term political gain.
"Barisan welcomes the improvements that have been implemented, including the implementation of the RCI recommendations, and believes institutional transformation must continue consistently," he said.
Zambry also said Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had from the outset supported the RCI report being disclosed in Parliament and debated through a special sitting.
He said Zahid had also proposed that the scrutiny be expanded to ensure transparency was comprehensive.
"This shows that Barisan has never taken a position to close public scrutiny of issues involving Tabung Haji," he said.
Zambry said the interests of TH depositors must take precedence over political interests as the institution was entrusted with managing savings, investments and matters related to the haj pilgrimage.
He urged all parties to avoid making baseless allegations, passing political judgment before legal processes were completed and creating narratives that could undermine depositors’ confidence without responsible grounds.
"Tabung Haji is not merely a financial entity. It is an Islamic institution carrying a major responsibility in managing the savings, investments and haj affairs of Muslims," he said.
Zambry said the special parliamentary sitting had opened wide space for public scrutiny of the RCI report.
"Transparency has been carried out. The debate has taken place. Transformation is under way.
"The focus now should not be on creating the perception that parties are trying to hide something, but on ensuring that Tabung Haji’s governance continues to be strengthened, the recommendations for improvement are fully implemented, and the confidence of depositors and Muslims in the institution is preserved," he said.
