SEBERANG PERAI: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence the Cabinet will greenlight the release of the much anticipated royal commission of inquiry report on Tabung Haji.
Anwar acknowledged that he was being “challenged” by certain quarters over why his administration has yet to release the report despite saying he would do so.
“I am not reluctant (to release the report). I agree (with publicising it) but we need to follow the process.
“When I bring this matter to the Cabinet this coming Wednesday, I am confident the Cabinet will agree (to release the report),” he said at the launch of the Human Resource Development Corporation’s National Training Week at the UiTM campus here today.
Anwar said the RCI report was not released sooner as the government wanted to avoid undermining public confidence in the pilgrims’ fund board.
On Thursday, he had said the government was prepared to release the report soon to allow the public to learn about the RCI’s findings concerning the sale of Tabung Haji’s strategic assets.
Felda’s past mismanagement
In his speech at the launch, Anwar lamented that Putrajaya has to pay nearly RM1 billion in debt incurred by the Federal Land Development Authority, or Felda, every year.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, revealed that this year alone, the government has to spend RM980 million on Felda.
He pointed out that Felda used to earn billions in profits in the past when led by capable leaders such as Raja Alias Raja Ali and Taib Andak, who were appointed by Malaysia’s second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein.
“But later, political interference followed, and greedy people were appointed. Felda, which made billions in profits in the past, now incurs billions in losses.
“I have to use public funds to pay (Felda’s debts) due to the wrongdoing of certain people,” he said.
Previously, Anwar had said Putrajaya had to bear the burden of Felda’s debt, which he blamed on the failures of past administrations.
