KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The powers of the minister in managing Tabung Haji (TH) should be limited and checks and balances strengthened to ensure weaknesses in the institution’s governance are not repeated, said the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM).
ABIM Secretary-General Ahmad Fawwaz Ahmad Shukri said the reform was important as the minister’s extensive powers in the institution had previously affected various aspects of TH’s management, including hibah announcements, haj subsidies, and decisions concerning funds and investments.
“We hope the powers given to the minister can be limited or improved with a fairer system of checks and balances.
“We also hope TH will continue to be led by professionals and experts, as well as religious scholars and intellectuals, not only at the top level but also in its subsidiaries and entities under its supervision,” he said when he appeared as a guest on the Fokus15 programme produced by Bernama TV here today.
He said improvements to TH’s governance and management should also continue in areas involving contract management and akad (contracts), while ensuring sound governance principles are applied in the institution’s investment activities and subsidiaries.
Ahmad Fawwaz said the reforms were important to restore and maintain public confidence in TH as an institution entrusted with managing the financial affairs of Muslims.
“When changes are made at the top, beginning with good checks and balances, and good management... this will translate into public confidence,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said legal action against those found responsible for causing damage or losses to TH should be taken immediately to ensure such issues do not recur in the future, in line with the memorandum submitted by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the Tabung Haji RCI Solidarity Peace Gathering outside Menara TH yesterday.
“Yesterday, we not only submitted the memorandum, but also had a special session with the management, namely with TH’s Chief Executive Officer himself. As an NGO, we need to monitor developments closely, and the public has the right to know what is happening,” he said.
Ahmad Fawwaz said ABIM also welcomed the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Aug 11 to debate the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on TH and hoped the debate would be conducted transparently, with public interest given priority.
“We hope for 100 per cent transparency in the matter to be discussed in the House, and that representatives of the community set aside their political sentiments for a while and look at the matter from the perspective of maqasid, or public interest,” he said.
-- BERNAMA