Malaysia's investigation into Tabung Haji can go beyond royal commission scope
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said authorities probing alleged mismanagement at Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) are not confined to the period examined by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
Source: Astro Awani · August 18, 2026 at 8:35 AM · AI-assisted report
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PUTRAJAYA, 18 AUGUST 2026 —
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said authorities probing alleged mismanagement at Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) are not confined to the period examined by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
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Speaking after the closing session of the pre-budget engagement for 2027, Anwar said the RCI findings would frame the investigation but investigators remained free to examine events that occurred before or after its inquiry window.
“All current actions and reviews go beyond the RCI... the RCI is the foundation. There is no prohibition on examining what happened before or after, and that is what enforcement and investigation agencies are doing,” he told reporters.
The prime minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, had earlier directed swift and firm follow-up actions on TH, warning investigators not to interfere in prosecutions. He said he would brief His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim while senior officials would brief the Malay rulers.
“In this case, His Majesty gave clear guidance—firm. That makes it easier for us... and my instruction is: I cannot interfere in investigations or prosecutions. But I can give general directions. Firm, fast. No excuses, no fear of anyone. Must act,” Anwar said.
He argued that decisive action without compromise was needed to safeguard the country, even if it carried political risk. Anwar also said the government would turn its attention to alleged governance failures at the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) after completing the TH probe, acknowledging the task would be politically sensitive.
“I am not making excuses. I am stating the political reality we face. If asked, I have already said I am prepared to take the risk. I have taken that risk and will continue moving forward. It means I must pay a high political price. At my age, I think I need not worry too much about that,” he said.
Anwar insisted there would be zero tolerance for governance failures and financial misconduct, especially when large public funds were at stake. Linking the issue to the preparation of Budget 2027, he said leakages and weak governance could drain resources that should reach ordinary Malaysians.
The engagement session, themed “Malaysia MADANI: Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Land,” drew nearly 400 participants from government agencies, the private sector, academia, NGOs, civil society organisations and international bodies.
Attendees included Second Finance Minister 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 Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican.
Related: Bank Negara Malaysia