Khairy says Umno must own up to Tabung Haji governance weaknesses, not sweep them aside

Khairy says Umno must own up to Tabung Haji governance weaknesses, not sweep them aside


Published: Aug 5, 2026 10:04 AM
Updated: 12:59 PM



Umno must acknowledge weaknesses in the governance of Tabung Haji during the BN administration as highlighted in the royal commission of inquiry report on the agency, said former party youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy (above) said he understood why several Umno leaders had pushed back against the RCI findings, including denying any misconduct or corruption in Tabung Haji’s management, particularly while campaigning in the Negeri Sembilan state election.

However, he said such a defensive stance fell short of what was expected from a party seeking to portray itself as committed to reform and renewal.

“I do not expect them to adopt my view during the election campaign. Perhaps during an election campaign, we have to say there was no ‘sakau’ (misappropriation), that we provided higher hibah (returns), and maintained haj subsidies for muassasah pilgrims and so on.

“If we take that position, people will say that at least Umno has shown some signs of change in bringing the party towards recovery because it is willing to admit (its mistakes).

“We understand that during the Negeri Sembilan state election campaign, they could not say that. But at least there should be voices at the Umno general assembly saying that we cannot use this as an excuse to sweep the matter under the carpet.

“Whatever was weak, failed or wrong, we must acknowledge it,” he was reported as saying during the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast last night.

The 252-page RCI report on Tabung Haji’s management and operations from 2014 to 2020 was declassified and released last Wednesday, almost two years after the commission completed its findings in July 2022.

Among its key findings, the RCI concluded that Tabung Haji had concealed the true state of its financial position for years, reporting a RM3.4 billion profit in 2017 when proper accounting standards would have required it to record a RM1.4 billion net loss - a gap of almost RM4.8 billion.


Demonstrate political maturity

Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, who co-hosted the podcast, said the controversy presented the party with an opportunity to demonstrate political maturity by admitting its shortcomings, especially as support for Umno begins to recover.

“Umno cannot take the current wave (of support) as proof that there is no need to carry out reforms, apologise and improve itself, and simply (claim) that Malay unity and everything else is enough. This is about sustaining political momentum,” he said.

Shahril warned that Umno’s current political momentum should not be taken for granted.

“If there is an opportunity to improve and we don’t seize it, the world or God has a way of punishing you. So do not let it slip,” he added.

Shahril Hamdan

On the campaign trail in Negeri Sembilan, former Tabung Haji chairperson and Umno veteran Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said he was prepared to be investigated again.

“I was already cleared by the then-MACC chief commissioner (Azam Baki) in 2021. If the media wants to see proof, I can share the official letter which was given to me,” he said.


Weaknesses in fund management

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh argued that the RCI report did not identify any Umno leaders as being involved in misappropriation.

“So who are the Umno politicians involved and said to have ‘sakau’ (Tabung Haji funds)?” he asked.

He said the RCI report instead pointed to weaknesses in the fund’s management.

“So are the losses suffered due to corruption or management failures by administrative staff? Is giving high dividends to depositors and high subsidies to haj pilgrims considered ‘sakau’?” he added.