Time for Umno to be honest about TH governance failures, says Khairy

Khairy Jamaluddin has said it is "time to be honest about the governance failures" that had plagued Tabung Haji (TH).

Speaking on his Keluar Sekejap podcast last night, the former Umno Youth chief said some party members had defended Umno by saying the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report did not prove the embezzlement of funds by any political leader.

Some also tried to shift the focus from governance failures by saying that TH was still able to distribute "hibah", he said.

However, Khairy said such excuses were a "weak defence" and an attempt to legitimise bad practices.

"If we acknowledge these weaknesses and failures, the public will say, 'Okay, there are signs of change that could steer Umno towards recovery as they have admitted (to their shortcomings).'

"We cannot use such excuses to sweep these things under the carpet. We must admit our failures," he said.

The 252-page RCI report on the investigation into TH's management and operations from 2014 to 2020 was declassified and released last Wednesday, after the commission completed it in July 2022.

The RCI found, among others, that TH had concealed the true state of its finances for years, reporting a RM3.4 billion profit for 2017 when it should have recorded a RM1.4 billion net loss under proper accounting standards – a shortfall of almost RM4.8 billion.

Khairy's co-host, Shahril Hamdan, said the declassified RCI report gave Umno an opportunity to display "maturity, humility and remorse" for its shortcomings.

The former Umno information chief said the party must not take its wins at the two recent state polls as proof that there was no need to reform itself or apologise.

Shahril also said Umno must be aware that the momentum it currently enjoys could turn around.

"If there is an opportunity to improve and we don't seize it, the world or God has a way of punishing you. So do not let it slip," he said.