KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to table the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), which involved estimated losses of RM12.5bil, in Parliament was made based on policy considerations and the national interest, rather than political motives or election considerations, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the decision to make public the findings concerning financial mismanagement at the institution was collectively made by the Cabinet after taking into account TH's readiness.
Anwar said the tabling of the report had previously been postponed at TH management's request to allow the institution time to restructure its operations and formulate a resolution plan to restore its financial position.
"Tabung Haji asked that we not publicise it at that time. If we had publicised it then...without a solution in place, people would have withdrawn their funds and Tabung Haji would have been crippled. That was the proposal made by Lembaga Tabung Haji," he said in the SembangOhhYeahh podcast titled Special Episode: Who is Anwar Ibrahim Really, Beyond the Title of PMX?, which aired on YouTube on Wednesday (Sept 16).
According to Anwar, TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain had personally attended a Cabinet meeting to explain the institution's financial position and propose solutions before the report was eventually tabled.
The Prime Minister also dismissed claims by certain quarters that the tabling of the TH RCI report was linked to the schedule of state elections or the next general election.
He said that given the consecutive nature of state elections, postponing the report for political reasons would be inappropriate, as the country needed firm decisions and action to restore the institution's integrity.
Anwar stressed that the impact of TH's losses was significant as they involved funds intended to benefit millions of depositors, including prospective haj pilgrims, farmers, fishermen and the young generation.
He said tabling the RCI report in Parliament was a transparent step that would allow the matter to be debated openly, adding that he was prepared should any party seek to extend the investigation to cover the period of his administration.
"There have been suggestions not to stop at 2020, as people are also asking what happened during my time as Prime Minister. I said, 'Go ahead,' because if we didn't steal money, we have nothing to fear. Investigate as much as you like," he said.
Anwar said he would not interfere in matters involving prosecution or sentencing, leaving such decisions entirely to law enforcement agencies such as the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), while case outcomes remained under the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
Anwar said he understood the pain of oppression and would not allow any legal process under his administration to be used to persecute any party.
Meanwhile, on public feedback and views concerning his administration, Anwar said he remained open to criticism as a means of identifying and addressing the government's shortcomings.
He also called on Malaysians to continue supporting efforts to combat corruption and divisiveness while leveraging the country's potential on the international stage.
The RCI report, published on July 29, revealed various significant findings concerning the management and governance of the institution between 2014 and 2020.
A special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat was held on Aug 11 to debate the report. – Bernama
