KUALA LUMPUR: The bipartisan parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is an appropriate platform to scrutinise the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji (TH), says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the PAC was suited to the task in light of calls for a further probe into TH’s affairs between 2017 and 2025.
“I think PAC is more suitable to conduct the investigation, as it has a clear mandate and focus,” he told reporters after the Musyawarah Nasional 2.0 forum titled “Reality and Perception: Don’t Politicise Tabung Haji” yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is Umno president, said this in support of a proposal by several MPs who attended the forum seeking clarification on the RCI findings.
He noted that a further probe into TH’s affairs, particularly covering the period after 2017, would help clarify issues raised in the RCI and prevent finger-pointing at individuals.
“There was no pointing of fingers in the RCI report at any individual.
“What has been suggested is that an investigative body be set up to look into the period from 2017 to 2025.”
He said the Audit Department’s role in auditing TH should also be considered, noting that it had issued a clean audit certificate.
“This is something PAC should look at to clarify between reality and perception,” he said.
Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who attended the forum, called for a fresh RCI into TH’s administration and management but agreed to a PAC probe as an alternative.
“Alternatively, we can ask the PAC to review the RCI report and call witnesses.
“These are the two options, either a new RCI or PAC review,” he said when met by reporters.
Takiyuddin said Perikatan Nasional MPs would raise the RCI findings during the debates on Budget 2027 in Parliament this October.
Among the issues he cited were alleged discrepancies between an earlier Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe into TH Plantation and the RCI’s recommendation for forensic audits of several of TH’s companies.
Meanwhile, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the forum highlighted why Parliament was not informed of TH’s efforts to address its weaknesses, including increasing its reserves by RM300 million in 2016.
He said a financial sustainability report that year stated that Bank Negara was satisfied with the proactive measures taken to reduce liquidity and financial risks.
“These facts were not disclosed or highlighted in Parliament.
“This was an attempt to create a perception that the former management of Tabung Haji was deeply flawed,” said Asyraf.
He said the issue should be viewed in its proper context to avoid damaging TH’s reputation.
