RCI Report: Depositors Describe Disclosure as Bold Step by Government to Restore TH’s Integrity

KUALA LUMPUR: Tabung Haji (TH) depositors have described the disclosure of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Report as an important and bold step by the government to restore the integrity, governance and public confidence in the institution.

Bank executive, Anis Atifah Che Rawi, 39, who has been a depositor since the age of 25, said she welcomes the disclosure as it allows contributors to understand the true situation besides ensuring that the issues that have arisen can be addressed fairly and transparently.

“For me, this report is important to understand what really happened. As a TH depositor, I hope this issue can be handled transparently and fairly so that public confidence in TH continues to be maintained,” she told Bernama.

Commenting on the government’s guarantee regarding the safety of depositors’ savings under the Tabung Haji Act 1995, she said the step provides peace of mind to contributors, thus proving the government’s ongoing commitment to protecting the interests of Muslims.

Anis Atifah also supports ongoing legal action against any parties found to have committed misconduct and hopes that TH’s management will continue to be strengthened more openly in the future.

“I agree with the action taken. If there is misconduct, the matter needs to be investigated according to the law. What is important is that TH’s management needs to continue to be strengthened so that depositors’ confidence can be maintained,” she said.

The same view was also shared by Deputy President of the Malaysian Consumer Friendly Association (PMPM) Azlin Othman, 49, who considers the RCI disclosure as an important turning point in cleaning up the management of the institution.

Azlin, who has been a TH depositor for 31 years, said she feels relieved because the truth regarding past governance weaknesses has finally been revealed openly and is no longer being covered up.

“Disappointed and shocked when I read how bad TH’s governance was before. But I am also relieved because finally the truth has been uncovered, not covered up anymore,” she said.

Azlin said firm enforcement action against those suspected of wrongdoing is a necessary step, and hopes that the cleansing and improvement of TH’s governance will be carried out without any political interference.

Meanwhile, a solid waste disposal contract worker who only wants to be known as Raja Mustaffa, 40, said the transparent RCI disclosure allows the real problems to be identified and for the future of the institution.

He, who is also a single father to two daughters, said the government’s full guarantee under the TH Act provides strong confidence that depositors’ savings capital remains safe.

“To be honest, I do feel disappointed when I know that the savings of Muslims were once managed with such weaknesses.

“But at the same time, I also feel relieved because finally this issue has been opened transparently. At least we know the real problem and it can be corrected, not just covered up anymore,” he said.

Raja Mustaffa also praised the recovery and asset restructuring measures taken to ensure TH’s investment management is more transparent, professional and monitored by an independent body to ensure that mistakes are not repeated.

BERNAMA