KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has unanimously agreed to begin proceedings to investigate governance, financial and investment weaknesses at Tabung Haji.
PAC chairman Datuk Wira Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the decision followed the findings of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into the management and operational issues of Tabung Haji from 2014 to 2020, which was disclosed to the public on July 29.
She said PAC viewed the RCI's disclosure as extremely serious, warning it could erode the confidence of Muslims in the country if not addressed appropriately.
"Several questions remain following the disclosure of the RCI report, which was later debated in the Dewan Rakyat during the special sitting on Aug 11.
"As a bipartisan select committee under Parliament, PAC has clear jurisdiction as provided for under the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, the Treasury Instructions and General Circular No. 1 on the Organisation of Ministries under the Prime Minister's Department, making it PAC's duty and responsibility to begin proceedings on this matter," said Mas Ermieyati, who is also the Masjid Tanah MP.
At the same time, she stressed that the proceedings were not meant to repeat the RCI investigation, which had already been conducted thoroughly, but would instead focus on the actual status and progress of implementing the RCI's recommendations, in line with PAC's core function.
However, the title, Terms of Reference and witness list for the Tabung Haji proceedings have yet to be finalised, and the committee will hold a special meeting for that purpose.
"To ensure the Tabung Haji proceedings are carried out comprehensively, transparently and with accountability, PAC will also use documents such as the RCI report, the Auditor-General's report and an audit report by PwC as references.
"PAC is committed to conducting this investigation transparently and fairly to ensure continued accountability in the management of public funds, and to restore depositors' full confidence in Tabung Haji," she said.
Mas Ermieyati said PAC has experience investigating major and sensitive issues, including the 1MDB proceedings in 2016, proceedings over RM19.4bil in outstanding Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund claims in 2019, and proceedings into the procurement of second-generation Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the Royal Malaysian Navy in 2022.
She said PAC's proceedings into the LCS procurement began after the committee received a report from the Government Governance, Procurement and Financial Investigation Committee (JKSTUPKK) in 2019.
