MACC Investigates Tabung Haji; Deploys Officers at HQ as Probe Into RCI Findings Begins

PUTRAJAYA, July 31 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has officially initiated an investigation into the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), deploying an eight-member team of officers to the pilgrimage board’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Speaking at a press conference at MACC headquarters today, MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman stated that the enforcement action follows Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recommendation for law enforcement agencies to investigate the issues highlighted in the report, which was made public on Wednesday.

“The investigation team entered Tabung Haji building this morning to identify documentation related to matters stated in the RCI as well as matters related to the investigation under MACC,” Abd Halim said.

“We are also tracking down several individuals who will be called to record their statements in addition to examining the relevant list according to the established procedure,” he added.

When asked if the anti-graft agency would summon former top management and senior executives of TH, Abd Halim affirmed that anyone identified during the review of the evidence would be called to assist in the probe, emphasizing that the investigation would not be restricted to any specific timeframe.

“Any documents that are needed and are related to the investigation will be taken and examined to draw up a summary of the investigation results,” he explained.

The deployment follows MACC’s announcement yesterday that it has formed a specialized task force to review and examine the RCI findings.

Led by MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Mohd Hafaz Nazar, the task force is examining potential criminal offences including corruption, embezzlement, document forgery, abuse of power, and money laundering under the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001 (Act 613).

Published on the official portal of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) on Wednesday, the RCI report investigated TH’s management and operational affairs between 2014 and 2020.

Among its primary recommendations, the commission called for a forensic audit into past investment decisions that caused a severe drop in TH’s asset value, while noting evidence of suspicious financial transactions and the deliberate concealment of information

-NMT