PM must decide on setting up RCI for Tabung Haji, says deputy minister

(Bernama) – The establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) for Tabung Haji (TH) is a big issue that should be brought to Cabinet and it can only be decided by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

What’s important he said, was that the government would ensure that TH’s assets and the question of pilgrimage management, as well as the future of 9.3 million depositors, would be well taken care of, though it has not been announced if the set up of the RCI is necessary.

“So far, the government has not decided on any form of investigation. It could be an internal investigation but all information presented to the government, either through MPs’ debate or through memos, will be scrutinised by the government.

“We will look into the matter accordingly … and what needs to be done.

“The important thing is that the government will determine a clear direction for the TH management and administration, for example, on the realigning or restructuring of the uncompetitive subsidiaries,” he told reporters after officiating the Pengkalan Chepa PAS Youth Council meeting here today.

He added that an official internal investigation has yet to be announced but Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri has already been in discussions with the TH management.

“Even so, this is not considered as an investigation but a way to resolve issues that arise,” he said, adding that it was also to identify if the matters raised were valid.

He said TH Plantation, for example, is a public listed company. As such, any allegation could be obtained through “public available info”, parliamentary debates or from the mass media.

“We take note of all that and will determine if they are true or not before taking the next step. Though many have proposed the establishment of an RCI, it is still being considered by the government,” he added.