The Tabung Haji RCI report should drive institutional reform rather than revive political disputes, says the Prime Minister’s political secretary.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) should not reignite old political battles, but rather serve as a lesson to find the best way forward for the institution.
Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Azman Abidin said the interests of around 10 million depositors must take priority over the political interests of any party.
“That is why the RCI should be viewed as a lesson learned to strengthen the institution, rather than a document to stir up old political conflicts.
“If the RCI highlights shortcomings in governance, we will correct them; if the investment framework is weak, we will strengthen it; and if there is any scope for political interference, we will shut it down,” he told Bernama.
Azman stated that any required enforcement must strictly abide by the law and rely on solid evidence, while underscoring that the main goal remains securing TH as a trusted institution for future generations.
Azman said Tuesday’s special parliamentary session on the RCI report provided a formal forum for MPs to debate the issue, while allowing the public to see for themselves what transpired at TH.
“Since the report is now public, Parliament is surely the right place to clear the air and explain the findings.
“Rather than looking for someone to blame, we need to understand what happened, address the flaws that were identified, and above all, work out what corrective action to take next,” he said.
In light of this, Azman said the opposition’s walkout was highly disappointing, as they should have been fighting for the rights of depositors and Muslims in the country.
The RCI report into TH’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020 was made public on July 29, outlining 25 recommendations for improvement.
As a result, a special parliamentary session was convened to enable lawmakers to present, debate, and discuss the report.
