Anwar and MADANI government must shoulder BLAME in delay in disclosing the RCI, not taking steps to recover monies, not investigating/prosecuting the criminal liable, etc - they had 3 years PLUS, and they failed?
The Lembaga Tabung Haji Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) commenced on July 14, 2021, when the Cabinet approved its formation, and completed/ended its inquiry report in July 2022.
Thus, it was classified 'SECRET' and not disclosed transparently to the Malaysian public by then Prime Minister Ismail Sabri of PN government.
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When Anwar Ibrahim became PM in November 2022, he had the power to declassify the RCI Report - and only now, after about 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS decided to finally disclose this very important RCI report - WHY NOW? Was it part of the Negeri Sembilan State Election strategy that reveals the fault of the Barisan Nasional regime that caused losses?
Even though classified 'secret' - the Prime Minister and maybe all Cabinet members would have known the contents of the RCI - thus, they could have acted on it - to (1) Recover monies wrongly paid on as 'bonuses' to Directors and employees when Tabung Haji(and its subsidiaries) did not have PROFITS - but registered losses. VERY ODD - because dividends are paid out if there are PROFITS, and so too will bonuses to Directors and employees. How much are we talking about? Millions or Billions?
Now, the Tabung Haji is under the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) - and this Minister like any other Minister or Deputy Minister is chosen by the then sitting Prime Minister ONLY according to the Federal Constitution - thus the PRIME MINISTER is ultimately responsible - and until GE14(2018) - it was Najib Razak. [It is absurd to suggest that any MINISTER is incompetent or incapable of dealing/monitoring matters about monies, investments, bonus, dividends - if he/she is so, then he/she should NEVER be appointed MINISTER who is responsible for ALL aspects of institutions/departments/agencies under said Minister's RESPONSIBILITY - we need quality MINISTERS > and the proposal of Parliamentarian approval before any Minister is appointed is a GOOD suggestion]
Tabung Haji and its many subsidiaries should not have been able to make any decisions without the approval of the said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs). Thus, the said Minister is RESPONSIBLE - and so is the Prime Minister and/or the Cabinet??
Now, the RCI recommended splitting Tabung Haji's oversight. Under the proposal, the Religious Affairs Minister will retain control over Hajj operations, while the Finance Minister will take over the fund's multi-billion ringgit financial investments. > But has Anwar or the MADANI government acted on this and proposed needed amendments to the TABUNG HAJI ACT 1995 > No, they have not acted on this yet.
What did the RCI reveal - see what AI says..
Unjustified Payouts & Excessive Bonuses (AI search results)
- Illegal Dividends (Hibah): TH distributed a high 4.5% annual profit distribution and 1.75% Hajj hibah (totaling RM2.75 billion) in 2017 despite depleting its reserves and violating its governing Act, which forbids payouts during a deficit. [1, 2]
- Excessive Bonuses: Tens of millions of ringgit in unauthorized bonuses were paid out. In 2014, a two-month "special bonus" was awarded on top of an 11-month performance bonus while the institution was in a financial deficit. [1]
WRONG PAYOUTS can be recovered - but what has Anwar and the MADANI government done thus far since November 2022? How much of the said monies have been recovered to date?
4. Problematic Investments (AI search results)
- Flawed Decisions: Investment decisions suffered from poor coordination between the Chief Investment Officer, CFO, and Treasury.
- 14 Troubled Portfolios: The RCI recommended immediate forensic audits into 14 problematic assets. The largest failure was in FGV Holdings Bhd, accumulating an unrealized loss of RM1.059 billion. Other major wiped-out investments included Trurich Resources (RM364.31 million impairment) and TH Marine (RM278 million impairment). [1]
Again, has Anwar and the MADANI government done these forensic audits YET - necessary to reveal other losses, and other wrongdoings?
1. Masked Financial Deficits & "Creative Accounting" (AI search results)
- Hidden Losses: TH operated with a continuous asset-liability deficit starting in 2014. [1]
- True 2017 Position: Under full financial standards (MFRS), TH should have recorded a net loss of RM1.4 billion in 2017 instead of the reported RM3.4 billion profit. [1]
- Impairment Failures: The fund failed to record massive declines in asset values for its property investments and underperforming subsidiaries. [1]
- Unearned Income: TH illegally booked dividend income from subsidiaries that had not actually paid those dividends. [1]
Thus, by paying out DIVIDENDS, Tabung Haji 'LIED' about its financial position - a serious BREACH OF TRUST issue - they should have been HONEST and TRANSPARENT and tell Malaysians about its FINANCIAL situation and predicament.
Must we now look at Amanah Saham Nasional (and other Trust Funds), KWSP, KWAP, etc ...and see if the DIVIDENDS paid out was based on PROFITS and financial position. OR HAVE THE PEOPLE BEEN DECEIVED - all because government wanted to represent that it was doing a GOOD JOB in governance of nation. WERE LOANS taken out to cover dividend payouts?
ALL in all, TRUST in Government has ERODED ...
What has happened to those who BROKE THE LAW - have they been investigated, charged and TRIED in Court yet? Looks like NOT, because our Communication Minister said...only NOW will law enforcement be asked to act???
He[Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil] said the Cabinet had also agreed for enforcement agencies to immediately begin comprehensive investigations based on the report. "Parties involved will be brought to court if there are any violations of the law," he said. - NST, 29/7/2026
This means that Anwar and the MADANI government sat on the RCI report - and DID NOT even BEFORE ask law enforcement to investigate with a view of charging those who broke the LAW. This should have been done, soon after the RCI Report was out in June 2022, or at least soon after Anwar became Prime Minister at the end of 2022...
The people were left in the DARK as we did not even know the findings of the RCI until just now...
Can we say that this 'COVER UP' was to protect CRIMINALS? If Anwar did not reveal this RCI REPORT now, and then BN came back into power after GE16, would that government reveal the RCI REPORT - more so, since the problems arises during the BN Rule that ended in 2018 in GE14.
In my opinion, a ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY REPORT must IMMEDIATELY be revealed to the people - PM or Cabinet cannot for any reason HIDE the Report from the People...?? Was it a DEAL that Anwar had to make with BN when BN decided to join PH to form the MADANI government?
Azam Baki investigation was done by a Cabinet Select Committee - and that the Cabinet can arguably hide from the people but SHOULD not > BUT certainly NOT a Royal Commission of INQUIRY report/findings? If the PM/Cabinet can hide RCI Report/Findings > WHY should we ever ask for an RCI anymore?
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY must be observed by government, more so a DEMOCRATIC Government > where the people chose the Members of Parliament, and these MPs choose the Prime Minister.
HAS Official Secrets have been ABUSED by Anwar and the MADANI government in this case, in my opinion. AND, one may ask 'FOR WHAT REASON?' in this case as the RCI was only investigating matters until 2020 - long before PM Anwar Ibrahim and the MADANI Government?
In the case of UMNO's Ismail Sabri, maybe it was to protect BN leaders and political leaders of past who were involved - BUT why did ANWAR not declassify it as soon as he became Prime Minister is the question?
HOPEFULLY, it was not for 'some deals' or to be used as a 'potential threat in the event that they cease to be loyal to Anwar' - WE wont know WHY the DELAY - maybe Anwar Ibrahim and/or Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil should TELL US...
If something happens like 1MDB, and now Tabung Haji, the Malaysian people and PARLIAMENT deserves to know soon as possible - NO COVER UP Please.
It must be noted that Pakatan Harapan government is not implicated as bonus payouts seems to be based on financial capabilities...
However, the commission noted that from the beginning of the 2018 financial year to date, the granting of bonuses to employees has been controlled according to Tabung Haji’s financial capabilities.
BUT, then the RCI only looked until 2020 - so what is the situation of Tabung Haji and its many subsidiaries after that from 2021 to 2026 > do we need another RCI or maybe some Parliamentary Committee to look into this.
It is good to BAR active politicians from being appointed as Directors, CEOs or Management of Tabung Haji and its many subsidiaries > BUT better still NO MORE political appointees too. The selection should be the BEST CLEAN people to be Directors, CEO and management.
Anwar Ibrahim certainly do not have a track record of finding GOOD PEOPLE - not since his chosen POLITICAL Secretary has been charged in Court, and another past Political Secretary is subject to 'allegations' of wrongdoings.
Maybe, Parliament should be the one vetting and approving persons to be appointed Directors,CEOs, etc of Tabung Haji, its subsidiaries...and in fact all GLCs, government Commissions like MACC and MCMC. Independent vetting and approval needed also for all law enforcement heads, Public Prosecutor ...
Even when it comes to RCI - the Commissioners must be INDEPENDENTLY selected ...and the COMMISSIONS OF ENQUIRY ACT 1950 (REVISED 1973) need to amended to make it MANDATORY that the findings of the RCI must be forthwith published and made available to the PUBLIC > No more 'SECRETS' and no more DELAYS in informing the Public the findings of any RCI.
### The text in purple above are from AI search results - which also cites sources, but AI results can be wrong > so best check and verify please
Tabung Haji RCI report declassified - Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet today agreed to declassify and release the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into Tabung Haji, ending years of speculation over findings into the pilgrims fund's management between 2014 and 2020.
Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was made after the Cabinet received a briefing from Tabung Haji's top management and deliberated on the RCI findings.
He said the report would be made public today and would also be tabled and debated at a special Dewan Rakyat sitting in the near future.
"The Cabinet noted that the report contains 25 recommendations for improvements, of which 75 per cent have already been implemented by Tabung Haji's management," Fahmi said in a statement today.
He said the Cabinet had also agreed for enforcement agencies to immediately begin comprehensive investigations based on the report.
"Parties involved will be brought to court if there are any violations of the law," he said.
Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said the Cabinet also took note that Tabung Haji had declared a 3.5 per cent profit distribution for the 2025 financial year, reflecting an improved financial and operational position.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the Cabinet had discussed the release of the RCI report.
When approached by reporters after attending the GBA-Asean Conference on Energy Transition and Integration at Sunway Resort Hotel, Anwar replied briefly: "Yes, yes."
The government had previously indicated that the decision on whether to publish the report would be made by the Cabinet.
Last week, Anwar said the report could be released immediately if Cabinet approval was not required, but indicated that the matter would be decided at the Cabinet meeting.
He said the release had previously been delayed as Tabung Haji was still undergoing financial recovery, with the government seeking to avoid undermining public confidence or alarming depositors.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan had earlier told the Dewan Negara that the proposal to publish the RCI report would be presented to the Cabinet for a final decision.
The RCI was established in 2021 to investigate Tabung Haji's management and operations following concerns over its financial position, including an estimated RM11 billion gap between its assets and liabilities, as well as alleged breaches of the Tabung Haji Act.
Following the 2018 general election, government reviews found that Tabung Haji had RM70.3 billion in assets against RM74.4 billion in liabilities as at Dec 31, 2017.
The government also raised concerns that profit distributions had continued despite liabilities exceeding assets.
As part of efforts to restore the institution's financial position, underperforming assets were transferred to Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd, a special-purpose vehicle wholly owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated, under a restructuring exercise approved by the government. NST, 29/7/2026
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Lembaga Tabung Haji has identified serious governance failures, political interference, and questionable accounting practices that contributed to the pilgrimage fund’s financial difficulties between 2014 and 2020.
In its report, the six-member commission chaired by former chief justice Raus Sharif said weaknesses in the Tabung Haji Act 1995 gave excessive powers to the minister in charge of religious affairs, particularly over appointments to the fund’s board and senior management.
The absence of clear qualification and expertise requirements allowed active politicians to become involved in the institution’s management, undermining its credibility and influencing decisions over hibah payments and financial assistance.
The RCI panel also recommended amending the law to prohibit active politicians from holding leadership positions in Tabung Haji or its subsidiaries.
It also proposed specific selection criteria for board members, including relevant professional experience and expertise.
Wearing many, many hats
The report found that board members and senior executives frequently held positions as directors or chairpersons of numerous subsidiary companies.
This divided their attention from their core responsibilities and created conflicts of interest, it said.
The report named Tabung Haji’s former board member and CEO, Ismee Ismail, who held positions in seven Tabung Haji subsidiaries and three more after his tenure ended in June 2016.
It also named another former board member, Johan Abdullah, who also served as the group managing director and Tabung Haji CEO from June 2016 to June 2018.
He was found to have held positions in 19 subsidiary companies.
Former board member Zukri Samat, who also served as the group managing director and Tabung Haji CEO between July 2018 and August 2019, was found to hold positions in four subsidiaries.
“The commission was informed by Zukri that he had relinquished those positions to avoid a conflict of interest while leading the management of Tabung Haji,” the report said.
Nik Hasyudeen Yusoff, who was a board member, group managing director, and Tabung Haji CEO between Sept 1, 2019 and May 5, 2021, was found to be involved in four subsidiaries.
The RCI found that Amrin Awaluddin, who has been serving as a Tabung Haji board member, group managing director, and CEO since May 6 to date, holds positions in three subsidiaries.
Rozaida Omar, who served as Tabung Haji’s senior general manager (finance) and group chief financial officer from August 2004 to April 2021 before being reappointed as general manager of its human capital department, also acted as its proxy representative in 21 subsidiaries during her tenure as senior general manager (finance).
Abd Kadir Sahlan, who was Tabung Haji’s chief investment officer from June 2010 to 2018, was found to be a board member in three Tabung Haji subsidiaries.
‘Creative accounting’
The RCI said Tabung Haji faced a serious financial crisis in 2017, which was aggravated by what it described as “creative accounting”.
Among others, the institution allegedly applied inconsistent impairment policies and failed to record substantial losses to support the payment of high hibah between 2014 and 2017, during which Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was in charge, and Najib Abdul Razak was prime minister.
This included RM227.81 million in impairments involving subsidiaries that were not recognised in its accounts.
The practices contributed to a widening gap between Tabung Haji’s assets and liabilities, the report said.
No names were mentioned in the orders relating to the creative accounting.
The commission also criticised shortcomings in regulatory and audit oversight.
It said the auditor-general was not sufficiently assertive in auditing Tabung Haji’s financial statements, particularly over an “emphasis of matter” in the 2017 accounts that should have been treated as a serious case of non-compliance.
Bank Negara Malaysia’s supervision of the institution was also found to be inconsistent with the provisions of the Tabung Haji Act.
Loss-making investments
The RCI highlighted several investments that resulted in significant losses and recommended forensic audits.
These included investments involving PT TH Indo Plantations, TH Properties Sdn Bhd, and FGV Holdings Bhd.
The report said some investments were pursued under Tabung Haji’s ambition to become a “pillar of the ummah’s economy”, despite the institution lacking sufficient expertise in sectors such as large-scale plantations and property development.
It recommended that Tabung Haji concentrate on fund management and avoid high-risk or strategic investments outside its core competencies.
The commission also proposed dividing ministerial oversight of the institution.
Under the recommendation, the religious affairs minister would be responsible for haj operations, while the finance minister would oversee investments and fund management.
An independent body should also be established to advise the prime minister on appointments to the Tabung Haji board, the report said.
Private auditors proposed
The report recommended that Tabung Haji appoint private accounting firms instead of relying on the auditor-general to audit its financial statements.
It said hibah payments should only be approved based on completed and audited annual financial statements, rather than provisional or pro forma (provided as a matter of courtesy) accounts.
The RCI also proposed establishing a dedicated haj fund to manage haj-related investments under the supervision of the Securities Commission.
To address rising haj costs, the commission recommended increasing the minimum savings required for depositors to qualify for the pilgrimage.
It also said haj subsidies should be targeted only at depositors who genuinely require financial assistance.
The report called for forensic audits into previous investments and for disciplinary or legal action to be taken against board members or senior executives found to have committed wrongdoing.
The RCI concluded that Tabung Haji’s existing institutional structure should be maintained, but said its governance and operations required urgent and fundamental reforms to protect depositors’ savings and ensure its long-term sustainability.
The RCI panel also comprises former chief secretary to the government Samsudin Osman, RHB Group founder Abdul Rashid Hussain, Cariasean Research and Advocacy chairperson Munir Abdul Majid, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah vice-chancellor Asmadi Mohamed Naim, and certified accountant Norsyahrin Hamidon.
The commission’s secretary was then-Jakim deputy director-general for policy Hakimah Yusoff.
It was also assisted by three conducting officers from the Attorney-General’s Chambers - Asmah Musa, Nazran Sham, and Budiman Lutfi Mohamed. - Malaysiakini, 29/7/2026
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Tabung Haji has called for the recovery of RM2.19 million in bonuses paid to selected directors and officers of TH Properties Sdn Bhd, after finding that they were approved without following the required legal procedures.
In its 252-page report released last night, the RCI said bonus payments made by TH Properties in 2017 and 2018 had breached provisions under the Companies Act 2016, as the necessary approvals and shareholder resolutions were not obtained.
According to the report, TH Properties in 2020 consulted law firm MD Tajuddin & Co regarding the bonus payments in 2017 and 2018.
The commission said it agreed with the firm’s legal opinion that the 2017 payments by the TH Properties board had violated Sections 230(2) and 230(4) of the Companies Act 2016, while the 2018 payments had breached Section 230(3) of the same Act.
“The commission examined documents and meeting minutes relating to the issue of bonus payments to members of the board and certain employees of TH Properties.
“The bonus payments given to members of the TH Properties board and certain employees in 2017 and 2018 were made on the grounds that development projects in Australia, particularly The Bay Pavilion, had made significant financial contributions to TH Properties in 2016 and 2017,” it said.
The report added that the project was claimed to have generated returns of A$11.6 million (about RM35 million) for TH Properties.
“The commission found that several selected individuals were given special bonuses amounting to RM1,148,400 in 2017 and RM1,045,000 in 2018.
“The commission therefore recommends that efforts be made to recover the bonuses that were given to those involved, as the said bonuses were granted without complying with the prescribed regulations,” the report read.
The commission found that the bonuses were approved for two directors, two former directors, and six officers.
Excessive bonuses
The commission’s review also found that bonuses given to Tabung Haji employees were extremely high from 2010 to 2017, ranging between two and 13 months, including annual and special bonuses.
“The commission’s examination found that the bonus payment process went through three levels of approval, namely the board, the religious affairs minister, and the Finance Ministry.
“Generally, the religious affairs minister and Finance Ministry would only receive bonus payment proposals as recommended by Tabung Haji management and the board.
“This included the proposal for an extraordinary bonus payment in 2014, at a rate of one to 11 months’ salary for the annual bonus and two months’ salary for the special bonus, with the overall amount potentially reaching 13 months’ salary, involving an allocation of RM74 million,” the report read.
It added that the Finance Ministry had explained to the RCI that bonus payments for Tabung Haji employees exceeding two months were subject to the minister’s consideration and discretion.
This took into account, among others, Tabung Haji’s financial performance, operational activities, financial obligations, investment performance compared with previous years, the productivity performance of its members, and the financial implications of paying bonuses.
It also considered the recommendations of the board and the religious affairs minister.
“The commission is of the view that, taking into account the financial issues faced by Tabung Haji from 2014 to 2017, where the value of assets was lower than liabilities as reported in the annual financial statements and acknowledged by the National Audit Department, this proves that the granting of high bonuses by Tabung Haji was inappropriate,” the report read.
It explained that the high bonuses were granted because Tabung Haji assessed its assets based on real asset value, which showed it had recorded substantial profits throughout those years.
However, the commission noted that from the beginning of the 2018 financial year to date, the granting of bonuses to employees has been controlled according to Tabung Haji’s financial capabilities. - Malaysiakini, 30/7/2026
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