Umno must be prepared to address questions arising from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Tabung Haji if it genuinely wants to seek a fresh mandate from voters at the 16th General Election (GE16), said Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
He said calls for GE16 to be held earlier should not become a “curtain” to conceal unresolved questions surrounding the Tabung Haji RCI that still require answers.
Mahfuz said he agreed that voters should ultimately be given the opportunity to decide the country’s political mandate through an election, but issues involving the trust and savings of Tabung Haji depositors must not be pushed aside for political reasons.
“If Umno truly wants a fresh mandate from the people, then Umno must also have the courage to clear its name of any questions arising from the Tabung Haji RCI report.
“This is not about attacking Umno. It is about political integrity and the responsibility owed to depositors,” he said in a statement on Friday.
On Thursday, media reports said Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) had taken the position that GE16 should be held earlier, before Parliament approaches the end of its current term, which is expected to expire late next year.
BN chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said an earlier election would allow the Federal Government to regain its governing mandate from the people.
Mahfuz stressed that Tabung Haji did not belong to any political party, but involved the money, savings and future of millions of depositors.
He therefore urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Attorney General’s Chambers and the courts to take action within their respective powers on matters arising from the RCI that have a legal basis.
He said investigations, prosecutorial decisions and legal proceedings should be carried out promptly, transparently and without selective treatment.
“Do not delay it. Do not protect anyone. Do not politicise it. If there is an offence, charge them. If there is insufficient evidence, explain it. If someone is innocent, clear their name. That is justice,” he said.
Mahfuz added that Malaysians, particularly Tabung Haji depositors, had the right to know what action was being taken over the questions raised by the RCI report.
He said Tabung Haji depositors were also voters who had the right to assess those entrusted with safeguarding their savings.
“If you want a fresh mandate from voters, why be afraid of voters knowing the truth about the previous mandate?
“If there is truly no wrongdoing, face it and clear your name. If there was an offence, let the court decide. But do not expect time and an election to bury the questions raised by the RCI,” he said.
Mahfuz stressed that elections determine who governs the country, while the courts determine whether a person is guilty or otherwise.
