Port dickson: Tabung Haji's investment activities should be evaluated with a balanced perspective, according to Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, the Member of Parliament for Port Dickson. Aminuddin emphasized that while investment risks are inherent, not all financial losses can be attributed to misconduct.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aminuddin, who previously served as Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, highlighted the importance of differentiating between losses resulting from market volatility and those caused by negligence, conflicts of interest, or governance failures. During a special Dewan Rakyat session on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report concerning Tabung Haji, it was suggested that forensic audits be conducted on 14 investments that had depreciated.
Aminuddin advocated for appointing Tabung Haji's board of directors and senior management based on merit, with a focus on expertise and investment experience. He stressed the necessity for qualified individuals to manage Tabung Haji, rather than appointments based on connections.
The RCI report also suggested amending the Tabung Haji Act to prevent active politicians from being appointed to its board or subsidiaries. Aminuddin proposed further measures, including rigorous screening of board candidates based on integrity and experience in various relevant fields.
In contrast, Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa from Tampin-BN called for a new RCI to examine Tabung Haji's management from 2021 to 2025, arguing that significant developments post-2020 were not covered in the existing timeframe. Mohd Isam, a Public Accounts Committee member, urged for detailed scrutiny of Tabung Haji's governance from 2022 to 2026.
The 211-page RCI report, published on July 29, outlined various management and operational weaknesses from 2014 to 2020, offering 25 recommendations for improvement. By July 30, Tabung Haji had implemented 75 percent of these recommendations, following the RCI's establishment in 2021 and subsequent report presentation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2022.