00:00An anti-graft group has called for an end to political appointments in statutory bodies,
00:06government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies
00:09following the release of the Tabung Haji RCI report.
00:13The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, or C4, said the report showed how political
00:18interference in Tabung Haji's board decisions contributed to severe financial mismanagement,
00:24putting the savings of millions of Malaysians at risk.
00:27C4 warned that abuse, mismanagement and corruption would persist
00:31as long as political appointments remained embedded in public institutions.
00:36The group said public institutions existed to serve the people, not politicians or political parties,
00:42and that ending such appointments was necessary to restore public trust.
00:47C4 urged the government to amend the Tabung Haji Act to prohibit politicians from serving as the board chairman.
00:54It also called for a political financing act, requiring public disclosure of political funds
01:00and a ban on corporate and anonymous donations.
01:04The RCI report was declassified on Wednesday, about four years after the Commission completed
01:09its probe into Tabung Haji's management, operations and asset-related issues.
01:13The report found serious weaknesses in Tabung Haji's governance, investments and financial management
01:19between 2014 and 2020.
01:22It said several Tabung Haji chairmen and board members appointed between 2014 and 2018
01:28were active politicians, with decisions on hibah rates, haj fees and financial aid
01:34influenced by political considerations.
01:37Hun Joon Young, FMT
Comments