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Friday, May 8, 2015

TABUNG HAJI CHAIRMAN WAS ROSMAH'S CHOICE? Najib's 1MDB conundrum goes out of control

TABUNG HAJI CHAIRMAN WAS ROSMAH'S CHOICE? Najib's 1MDB conundrum goes out of control
KUALA LUMPUR - Finally the Malay Muslim community appears to have woken up from its decades long slumber. And the nightmare puncturing their sleep may be none other than Prime Minister Najib Razak's controversial wife Rosmah Mansor.
For decades, Malays have stoically defended their ruling party, Umno, despite its blatant corruption and trail of dubious deals. However, the Tabung Haji-1MDB bombshell that exploded a day ago may be too much to bear.
"The idea of innocent pilgrims' money being swallowed by 1MDB has got the mak-ciks and pak-ciks (aunties and uncles) all riled up. Even in the kampungs (villages), they are sweating over the deal and they want those responsible to be punished," an Umno observer told Malaysia Chronicle.
Indeed, Muslim groups and clerics have begun baying for Najib's blood. Malays themselves are starting to see the sense of ensuring the management of a wealth fund such as Tabung Haji be kept separate and distinct from politicians and the government.
Sad to say the chairman of pilgrims' fund Tabung Hai is none other than Umno MP for Baling Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahman. He was appointed to the post in 2013 amid heated speculation that he was Rosmah's choice.
Indeed, Azeez seemed to be so grateful, he was photographed bowing low to kiss the fair hand of Rosmah at an official function. The gesture raised eyebrows as it is not customary for Muslim men to kiss the hand of women in public unless they are close family members.
Scandalous deal but Najib's men say it is a 'good buy'
Tabung Haji yesterday admitted to purchasing a plot of land owned by 1MDB at the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) at a "discounted price" of RM188.5 million, or about RM2,779 per square foot (psf).
However, a blogger claimed that 1MDB made a killing from the sale, as it had purchased the government land for just RM90psf a few years ago. According to reports from 2012, 1MDB purchased the land from the government at RM74.2psf.
The shock 'slaughtering' of Tabung Haji by 1MDB officials over the deal has created an unprecedented furore.
Even Umno Youth has demanded an immediate explanation from Tabung Haji. However, Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin might do better to seek a direct answer from Najib, who is also the Finance Minister.
"It is common knowledge that the 1MDB is becoming more complex and Umno Youth is concerned that an institution such as Tabung Haji is being used to rescue 1MDB," the Umno Youth wing said in a statement.
"Any attempt to save 1MDB at the expense of the people cannot be accepted," it added.
Just last month, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin expressed full support for Najib despite swirling 1MDB accusations
Furore continues over 1MDB deal
According to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) professor Maszlee Malik, the government should never have endorsed Abdul Azeez as chairperson of Tabung Haji.
The pilgrims' fund would not have got embroiled in the questionable land deal involving Najib's 1MDB, had it not been put under the management of a politician, Maszlee said.
1MDB or 1 Malaysia Development Berhad is a sovereign fund initiated by Najib himself, but is now shrouded by controversy due to a seemingly endless string of financial debacles, if not outright embezzlement and theft.
"The Tabung Haji board's controversial purchase of land belonging to 1MDB, which is still being probed, is the result of the involvement of politicians in the highest adminstration of Tabung Haji," Maszlee said in a statement.
"The appointment of politicians (such as Azeez) as Tabung Haji chairperson creates a conflict of interest in the administration of Tabung Haji. Tabung Haji should instead be chaired by Islamic corporate figures who have proven their capabilities and have a long and well-recognised track record," he added.
Najib, Rosmah and controversial 1MDB figure Jho Low
Calls for probe, Azeez's resignation mount
Maszlee also called for a probe into the Tabung Haji-1MDB land deal and demanded that Azeez be replaced by a non-politician.
"Those involved in the (land) deal should be investigated, and if they have integrity, they should resign if this risky transaction had taken place.
"The chair of Tabung Haji should also be immediately replaced, with someone who is a non-politician, to regain contributors' confidence," he said.
Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin demanded answers, while PAS vice-president Husam Musa called on Azeez to quit.
Azeez, as Baling MP, also attracted public condemnation after he crudely described women as 'bocor' or leaking, in reference to the female menstrual cycle
Citing Muslim scholars, Maszlee said it was not very Islamic for the pilgrimage fund, or any public institution, to be helmed by ruling party politicians or someone close to them.
"(Classical Muslim ulama) Ibn Taimiyah reminded those in power not to appoint an individual to positions involving public and Muslim interests based on family ties, friendship or even political leanings.
"Appointments via favouritism exclude those who are more qualified, and as such, Ibn Taimiyah said this was a betrayal to Allah, the Prophet (Muhammad) and the Muslims. This was said by (the second caliph) Omar, and even by the prophet himself," Maszlee said.
He also cited one of the founding fathers of modern sociology, Muslim ulama Ibn Khaldun, who wrote that politicians and leaders meddling in businesses leads to bad governance. - Malaysia Chronicle

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