SHAH ALAM: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered a review of the governance and management of UiTM Holdings amid concerns over the company’s losses.
The Prime Minister said the review should be undertaken with the UiTM vice-chancellor and the Prime Minister’s Department, which would provide support where necessary.
"Please look into UiTM Holdings and find ways to work together with the vice-chancellor.
"The Prime Minister's Department and my office will provide cooperation and push for this," he said.
Anwar was responding to a question from the floor who urged the government and the UiTM Malaysia Alumni Federation to review the management of UiTM Holdings, which the student claimed had recorded losses of more than RM100mil.
The issue was raised during a question-and-answer session at the Himpunan Mesra Alumni UiTM at the Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor here on Saturday (Sept 26).
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, also denied allegations that the timing of the release of the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report was an act of revenge.
"Please, the RCI into TH took place before I became the Prime Minister.
"Then, when it came out, people asked why it took so long.
"I told them it took quite some time because the chairman of Tabung Haji and the board members were given time to restore and implement initiatives at the institution.
"Because when you uncover it too much, they are afraid depositors will start to withdraw their money from TH.
"So, we delayed it for two years.
"I don't know who was investigated, whether they will be charged or not. That is for the authorities to determine.
"The investigation is done by the police, Inland Revenue Board and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"The decision to prosecute lies with the Attorney General.
"But when people accuse us of revenge, that is not correct," he said.
Similarly, Anwar said the issues facing Felda had taken place long before his time.
"We understand companies sometimes make losses and sometimes make profit. We don't punish someone just because a company made a loss.
"We take action if there is fraud, abuse of power or sakau (siphoning off money)," said Anwar, to cheers from the floor.
"So now I want to emphasise this because we are reviewing UiTM Holdings," he said.
