Khairy Jamaluddin has urged Umno to openly acknowledge its shortcomings in managing Tabung Haji (TH) during the party’s time in government, following the release of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into the fund’s management, operations and finances.
Speaking on the Keluar Sekejap podcast on Tuesday night, the former Umno Youth chief said it was time for the party to be honest about the governance failures highlighted in the report.
Khairy rejects attempts to justify shortcomings
Khairy said some Umno members had attempted to defend the party by arguing that the RCI report did not prove any political leader had embezzled TH funds.
Others, he said, had shifted attention away from governance issues by pointing out that TH had continued distributing hibah to depositors.
He described such arguments as a weak defence that sought to justify poor governance practices.
“If we acknowledge these weaknesses and failures, the public will say, ‘Okay, there are signs of change that could steer Umno towards recovery as they have admitted to their shortcomings.’
“We cannot use such excuses to sweep these things under the carpet. We must admit our failures,” he said.
RCI report highlights financial misstatements
The 252-page RCI report, which examined TH’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020, was declassified and released last Wednesday after the commission completed its work in July 2022.
Among its findings, the RCI concluded that TH had concealed its actual financial position for several years. It reported a RM3.4 billion profit for 2017, when it should have recorded a RM1.4 billion net loss under proper accounting standards, a difference of nearly RM4.8 billion.
Shahril calls for humility and reform
Khairy’s co-host, former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, said the declassified report presented an opportunity for the party to demonstrate maturity, humility and remorse over its past shortcomings.
He said Umno should not interpret its victories in the two recent state elections as a sign that reform or an apology was unnecessary.
Shahril also cautioned that the party’s current political momentum could easily change if it failed to improve.
“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 said.
