Zairil accuses Hadi of using religious sentiment to deflect Tabung Haji scrutiny

Penang DAP vice-chairman Zairil Khir Johari has accused PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang of exploiting religious sentiment to distract from alleged governance and integrity issues at the Tabung Haji (TH). Hadi's reference to the matter as an "attack on Islamic identity" was viewed by Zairil as an attempt to deflect scrutiny from the institution's management.

"Using religious sentiment to defend weaknesses or misconduct not only confuses the public, but also undermines the dignity of Islamic institutions," Zairil stated in a recent statement. He also questioned Hadi's lack of response when the Royal Commission of Inquiry report disclosed alleged TH wrongdoing last month. Zairil criticized PAS and Perikatan Nasional MPs for boycotting a parliamentary motion related to TH instead of engaging in a debate.

He noted that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's detention and remand of former TH leaders, including a former religious affairs minister, demonstrated the issue was not driven by narrow political motives but required accountability. Zairil emphasized that Tabung Haji is more than just a financial entity; it holds the trust and hopes of millions of Muslims who contribute hard-earned savings to perform the haj.

"TH must be cleansed of any wrongdoing and political manipulation, while the public's trust must be upheld through transparent, firm, and accountable governance," Zairil concluded.