PUTRAJAYA, Aug 18 — Investigations and actions by authorities regarding Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) issues may go beyond the scope and period examined by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the RCI is the basis or “parent” for the investigation and scrutiny regarding the issue and there is no obstacle for the authorities to examine matters that occurred before or after the period involved.

“Indeed, right now, all actions and studies go beyond the RCI. The RCI is the parent. There is no obstacle to studies before and after and this is what the enforcement and investigation bodies are doing,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Budget 2027 engagement session, here today.

Earlier, Anwar in his closing speech ordered that follow-up actions regarding the TH issue be implemented firmly and immediately.

While insisting that he would not interfere in the investigation or prosecution process, Anwar said he had also asked the relevant parties to inform and brief the Malay Rulers on the TH issue, while he himself provided an explanation to His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. 

“It so happens that in this case, the King gave simple, firm guidelines. So it makes our actions easier...and my instructions are that we cannot interfere in the investigation, we cannot prosecute. But I can give general instructions. Firm, fast. Don’t give excuses, don’t be afraid of anyone. We must act,” he said.

Anwar said that firm action without compromise must be taken in an effort to save the country, even though such a step carries political risks.

Anwar said that after TH, the government would also pay attention to the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) issue, although he admitted that the action was not easy because it had to face political reality, but he was willing to take the risk and continue with it.

“I’m not giving excuses. I’m just saying these are the stark political realities that we have to face.

“If you ask me, I have announced and prepared to take the risk. I’m taking the risk, and I’m moving forward...It has caused a heavy political price. And I think at my age, I shouldn’t worry too much about that,” he said.

Anwar also stressed that he would not compromise on the issue of governance and corruption, especially when it involves large amounts of funds.

Linking the issue of governance to the importance of Budget 2027, the prime minister said that leakage and weak governance could cause the government to lose funds that should have been used to help the people.

The 2027 Budget Engagement Meeting was also attended by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Treasury secretary-general (KSP) Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican.

Themed “Malaysia Madani: Reaching to the Sky, Rooted in the Earth”, Budget 2027 is the fifth national budget under the Madani Government.

Nearly 400 participants from government sector and agencies, private sector and industry, academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and international organisations have provided views and submitted proposals to strengthen the preparation of the 2027 Budget. — Bernam