TH RCI Probe Aims To Prevent Further Losses To Country - Anwar

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The investigation into issues raised in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) will continue to ensure that the country does not suffer furrther losses, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister stressed that appropriate action must be taken if the investigation finds that wrongdoing had occurred, but the process must be based on evidence and the law.

“As in the Tabung Haji (RCI investigation), if no action is taken, the country will suffer losses, but when action is taken, I get criticised. I don’t understand.

“I said RM12 billion was lost. How was it lost? When was it lost? Investigate who was responsible for the loss. If there is evidence, charge them in court and then leave it to the judge. That is how we govern and administer the country,” he said when launching the MADANI Permatang Pauh Usahawan Bangkit Scheme (SUB) at Dewan Yayasan Aman, Penanti, here today. 

Anwar said the government would not punish anyone without due process, but would not compromise if there was strong evidence of wrongdoing.

On July 29, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) published the 211-page RCI Report on the investigation into the management and operations of TH for the period from 2014 to 2020.

The report contains various findings relating to weaknesses in the management of the institution during the period, as well as 25 recommendations for improvement, 75 per cent of which had been implemented by TH as of July 30.

Elaborating, Anwar said efforts to curb leakages must continue as Malaysia has substantial financial resources, but some of the benefits do not reach the people due to leakages in the management of government funds and allocations.

He said efforts to curb leakages were part of the government’s responsibility to ensure that every allocation provided could benefit the people, particularly those in need.

“What is the purpose of taking action? To prevent leakages. Who says Malaysia is poor? It is not (that the assistance is lacking), but it does not reach the grassroots because a lot of it leaks along the way,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that the government remained committed to helping all segments of society through the implementation of various programmes and initiatives that directly address the needs of the people.

He said government assistance should include efforts to help the people generate income, obtain education, and acquire skills and technological knowledge.

He said the government had provided various forms of assistance, including through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga Nasional (TEKUN Nasional), Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), but efforts to empower the people to become self-reliant must continue to be strengthened.

Anwar also said the government would continue to strengthen the role of the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI), particularly in bringing access to technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to rural areas.

“Malaysia is the only country where we bring AI and technology to the districts. Every state constituency has one NADI.

“We have achieved global recognition because we have established NADI even in Pulau Banggi, at the tip of Sabah. However, this is still not enough because many people do not know what NADI is. Many children are not making use of it,” he said. 

Earlier, Anwar presented certificates to six successful applicants under the Skim Usahawan Bangkit programme in Permatang Pauh.

-- BERNAMA