KUALA LUMPUR – The alleged misappropriation involving Tabung Haji (TH) was the work of certain individuals and should not be used to blame Malays as a whole, said Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh.
He said it was unfair to associate the actions of those accused of wrongdoing with an entire race, stressing that criminal acts should be judged based on the individuals involved rather than their ethnic background.
“Stealing is not about race. There are Malays who steal. There are Chinese who steal. There are Indians who steal. In every race, there are good people and there are those who commit mistakes.
“So do not because of the mistakes of several individuals, an entire race is insulted and degraded,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday.
Akmal said any individual found to have committed wrongdoing in relation to TH should face investigation, prosecution and legal action, regardless of their race or religion.
“If there are those who steal, arrest them. Investigate. Prosecute. Bring them to court. Let the law determine who is guilty,” he said.
His remarks came after debate in the Dewan Rakyat on the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into TH, which saw Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan making remarks touching on misconduct and alleged abuse involving Malay Muslims.
Mohd Sany had questioned whether taking or misusing public funds would be viewed as acceptable if it involved Malay Muslims, during a debate on the RCI report.
Akmal said the same principle should be applied to cases involving individuals from other communities who had previously been accused of involvement in corporate controversies.
“Because do not forget, in corporate mafia issues and tunnel issues, there were also people from other races who were accused of being involved. Do we want to blame their entire race?” he said.
He added that the government, with its authority, agencies and legal framework, should take action against those found responsible instead of merely shifting blame.
“Especially if you are in government. You have power, you have agencies, you have laws. Use them.
“Do not become the government but continue speaking like the opposition — good at pointing fingers but failing to take action,” he said.
Akmal also criticised attempts to generalise the actions of individuals based on their race.
“Do not because the perpetrator is Malay, you insult Malays as a whole, but if the perpetrator is from another race, you keep quiet,” he said.
He reiterated that while criminals may come from different backgrounds, crime itself does not belong to any particular race.
“Criminals have races. But crime does not recognise race,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier confirmed that there were acts of “sakau” involving TH following findings in the RCI report, which highlighted the loss of billions of ringgit in funds.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said those responsible for violating regulations and breaching public trust must face firm action, while emphasising that the burden of such losses affected all Malaysians regardless of race and religion.
“The ones who ‘siphoned off’ are only some individuals, but the ones who have to pay are all Malaysians regardless of race and religion because of their greed and deceit. Instructions have been issued. Take the strictest possible action,” he said. - August 17, 2026
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