There’ll be no lasting outrage over TH findings, says Kadir Jasin
The laureate says problems plaguing the pilgrims' fund are perceived as a Malay-Muslim issue
National journalism laureate A Kadir Jasin said heads must roll over the failure to carry out fiduciary duties and responsibilities.
PETALING JAYA: National journalism laureate A Kadir Jasin believes there will be no lasting outrage over the findings of a royal commission of inquiry into Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), unlike the furore generated by 1MDB, as it is perceived as a Malay-Muslim issue.
The veteran commentator said that, unlike the 1MDB scandal, the non-Malays would be reluctant to wade into the TH saga.
“The Malays are not very good at sustained outrage. They’re easily pacified,” Kadir told FMT.
“There should be, but there might not be (outrage).”
He added that even in the case of 1MDB, some in the community had clamoured for former prime minister Najib Razak, who is currently serving time for corruption, to be pardoned.
Najib played a central role in the saga, which has been dubbed the largest ever kleptocracy case.
Kadir also said he was not surprised by the RCI’s findings, and that much of what was uncovered had been exposed and acted upon when Barisan Nasional lost power in the 2018 general election.
He said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, through then finance minister Lim Guan Eng and then religious affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa, had taken a series of actions.
This included transferring TH’s non-performing assets and liabilities to a special purpose vehicle so that the pilgrims’ fund could continue to pay hibah to its members.
Multiple police reports were also lodged by TH’s new management against the fund’s former board members and senior management, he added.
However, when the PH government was toppled following the “Sheraton Move” in 2020, “most of its policies and actions were either abandoned or put on a back burner”, he said.
Kadir expressed regret that former board members and senior management were given only a slap on the wrist, with no major criminal trials or formal charges brought by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
He said senior staff only faced internal disciplinary action and demotions instead of dismissals.
“The RCI findings on TH and its recommendations will yet be another ruse if no legal action is taken against the culprits.”
Kadir said that heads must roll over the failure to carry out fiduciary duties and responsibilities, lest the TH RCI end up suffering the same fate as the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police, which was set up 22 years ago.
In 2005, the royal commission proposed the establishment of a body called the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, which was never fully set up.
The veteran commentator said that, unlike the 1MDB scandal, the non-Malays would be reluctant to wade into the TH saga.
“The Malays are not very good at sustained outrage. They’re easily pacified,” Kadir told FMT.
“There should be, but there might not be (outrage).”
He added that even in the case of 1MDB, some in the community had clamoured for former prime minister Najib Razak, who is currently serving time for corruption, to be pardoned.
Najib played a central role in the saga, which has been dubbed the largest ever kleptocracy case.
Kadir also said he was not surprised by the RCI’s findings, and that much of what was uncovered had been exposed and acted upon when Barisan Nasional lost power in the 2018 general election.
He said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, through then finance minister Lim Guan Eng and then religious affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa, had taken a series of actions.
This included transferring TH’s non-performing assets and liabilities to a special purpose vehicle so that the pilgrims’ fund could continue to pay hibah to its members.
Multiple police reports were also lodged by TH’s new management against the fund’s former board members and senior management, he added.
However, when the PH government was toppled following the “Sheraton Move” in 2020, “most of its policies and actions were either abandoned or put on a back burner”, he said.
Kadir expressed regret that former board members and senior management were given only a slap on the wrist, with no major criminal trials or formal charges brought by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
He said senior staff only faced internal disciplinary action and demotions instead of dismissals.
“The RCI findings on TH and its recommendations will yet be another ruse if no legal action is taken against the culprits.”
Kadir said that heads must roll over the failure to carry out fiduciary duties and responsibilities, lest the TH RCI end up suffering the same fate as the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police, which was set up 22 years ago.
In 2005, the royal commission proposed the establishment of a body called the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, which was never fully set up.
Simple Solution....from now on DEFUND FROM JAKIM JAIS MAIS ZAKAT Sultna- Ahkong Palestinian Fund ....and force them to PAY BACK $30 Billion to build More Temple and Churches....better than blindly giving to these Supremacist Religion of SCAM LIES AND FRAUD lovers of Hamas-hez-No- Bola ISIS taliban.....btw Tun Razak was a part of Japanese Army Collaboration is like IRGC pretending to be Ayahtollah....Rename TRX to TUN ROBBER EXCHANGE!!! For Banduan Najib and those Sue tan and Ahlong ...ALL Lies Leave this Fraud Religion Now!!!
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