Anwar: Action against Tabung Haji, Felda based on wrongdoing, not religion or race

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed allegations that the government's investigation into Tabung Haji (TH) is driven by TH's Islamic identity, stating that any action taken is a response to mismanagement and wrongdoing, not religious or racial targeting. At a Felda management programme, Anwar said the same principle applies across the board, citing Felda as another example of a Malay community-associated institution that has faced government intervention over past failures.

He urged against making the issue a racial or religious one. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had previously argued that Muslims are less involved in corruption compared to non-Muslims, claiming that Islamic institutions like TH are singled out for scrutiny due to their religious branding. Hadi alleged that enforcement in Malaysia has been selective, with some senior figures and non-Muslim individuals escaping consequences while others are unfairly targeted.

Anwar countered this by pointing to Felda, where the government has set up a special task force to address past problems, demonstrating that mismanagement would not be overlooked based on an institution's ethnic or religious significance.