- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected claims that the government's scrutiny of Tabung Haji is driven by its Islamic identity, insisting that any action taken is a response to mismanagement and wrongdoing, not religious or racial targeting.
- Anwar stated that action is based on wrongdoing and should not be viewed from a racial or religious standpoint, addressing concerns raised by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
- He highlighted the government's white paper on Felda and the establishment of a special task force as examples of addressing mismanagement in institutions linked to the Malay community.
- Abdul Hadi Awang claimed that the scrutiny of Tabung Haji is exaggerated to damage the image of Malay-Muslims, suggesting that larger issues in other institutions are overlooked.
- Anwar emphasized that investigations into Felda are ongoing and that action will be taken if wrongdoing is found, reinforcing his commitment to addressing corruption regardless of the agency's ethnic or religious ties.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has firmly rejected the notion that the government's investigation into Tabung Haji (TH) is motivated by its Islamic identity, stating, "If issues are identified, we will take action. Don’t make this a racial or religious issue."
He emphasized that the same principle applies to Felda, another institution linked to the Malay community, where mismanagement has also been addressed. Anwar noted, "The special task force has started investigating past wrongdoings at Felda, and I am waiting for the investigations to complete before announcing further action."3
His comments come amid criticism from Islamic party leaders, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who claimed that the focus on TH was disproportionate and aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Malay-Muslims. Anwar countered this by highlighting the government's commitment to tackling corruption across all agencies, stating, "We take action. We do not ask whether it is a Malay company or a government company."
He further asserted that the integrity of Muslim-run institutions should be upheld, saying, "Muslims and Malays should be even more serious and meticulous when it comes to management, ethics, and values."
Anwar's remarks reflect ongoing tensions between the unity government and PAS regarding perceptions of corruption in Malay-Muslim institutions, with Anwar insisting that accountability must prevail regardless of the agency's ethnic or religious significance.
He concluded by urging that acknowledging and correcting past wrongdoings is essential, stating, "There is no perfection in this world and where there are mistakes, we should correct them."
“Anwar cited Felda's white paper and a special task force as proof of addressing mismanagement in Malay-linked institutions. He also mentioned chairing a Khazanah board meeting where old governance weaknesses were identified, underscoring his commitment to clean up any agency regardless of its ethnic or religious ties.”
Malay Mail
The Star
