KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should prioritise a proposal to establish a special investigative body to examine Tabung Haji's affairs from 2017 to 2025, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the proposal was put forward informally by several Members of Parliament attending a recent forum, framing it as a necessary follow-up to the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Tabung Haji.
“I think PAC is more suitable to conduct the investigation as it has a clear mandate and focus,” he told reporters after attending the Musyawarah Nasional 2.0 forum, titled “Reality and Perception: Don't Politicise Tabung Haji”, on Tuesday (Aug 25).
Zahid, who also serves as Rural and Regional Development Minister, said extending the investigation beyond 2017 would help clarify issues raised in the RCI report and prevent unfounded accusations against individuals.
“The RCI report showed that there was no pointing of fingers at any individual. What has been suggested is that an investigative body be established to look into the period from 2017 to 2025,” he said.
The initial RCI focused strictly on matters involving the pilgrim fund up to 2017.
Zahid also noted that the National Audit Department had previously issued a clean audit certificate to Tabung Haji.
“This is something PAC should look at so that the reality and perception can be clarified,” he added.
When asked if the forum's findings would be escalated to the Cabinet, Zahid said he did not view it as necessary, stating that parliamentary scrutiny via the PAC remains the most appropriate channel.
Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan called for a fresh RCI or a comprehensive PAC review focusing on Tabung Haji’s administration following the timeframe covered by the previous inquiry.
“As the Perikatan Nasional secretary-general, I urge the Government to establish a new RCI into the administration and management of Tabung Haji, beginning from the end of the previous RCI period, which was said to be 2018.
“Alternatively, we can ask the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to review the RCI report and call witnesses. These are the two options, either a new RCI or PAC review,” Takiyuddin said, adding that Opposition MPs are prepared to raise the matter during the upcoming Budget debate.
Takiyuddin also cited a discrepancy between a prior Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe into TH Plantation and the RCI’s recommendation for forensic audits on 14 companies.
He highlighted a May 2021 letter from former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, which stated that specific share purchases were in order, leading the anti-graft agency to classify the case as "no further action".
He urged authorities to reconcile that finding with the RCI's recommendation for forensic audits targeting firms like TH Plantation and Tabung Haji Indonesia Plantation.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki claimed the forum brought to light an incomplete picture regarding Bank Negara Malaysia's historical concerns over Tabung Haji’s financial liquidity risks.
Asyraf Wajdi noted that Tabung Haji had taken proactive steps at the time, including bolstering its reserves by RM300 mil in 2016.
He said a 2016 financial sustainability report confirmed that Bank Negara was satisfied with the remedial measures implemented to mitigate liquidity exposure.
“These facts were not disclosed or highlighted in Parliament. This is an attempt to create a perception that the former management of Tabung Haji was deeply flawed,” Asyraf Wajdi said, urging stakeholders to view the fund's historical performance in proper context.
