Ex-auditor-general disappointed after not being called to testify before TH RCI

Former Auditor-General Tan Sri Madinah Mohamad expressed disappointment on August 13 that she was not summoned to testify before the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH). Berita Harian reported that Madinah, who served as auditor-general from 2017 to 2019, arrived at the designated Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) office for the hearing, only to wait over 30 minutes without being called.

"My right to be heard was denied when I was not called to testify in the proceedings, even though I had already turned up and waited there," she stated. Madinah contended that her right to be heard had been violated despite her presence at the proceedings. The 211-page RCI report highlighted a lack of firmness on the part of the auditor-general, noting that TH's financial statements from 2014 to 2017 received unqualified audit opinions.

However, the 2017 report included two Emphasis of Matter (EOM) paragraphs, drawing attention to issues that required further examination. Madinah defended her handling of the 2017 accounts, explaining that the EOMs were employed to highlight material matters identified during the audit. However, the RCI found that these issues warranted a qualified opinion, which would have formally indicated material problems within parts of the accounts.

Madinah argued that her decision to issue a qualified opinion was based on the audit evidence and adherence to international auditing standards, contending that a qualified opinion should not be granted unless the necessary criteria were met.