Malaysians disappointed over explanation given by Tabung Haji - Husam Musa

“There was no cancelled transaction, no remorse and apology.

“There wasn’t even an explanation on why a full payment was made during the signing of the sales and purchase agreement and how a high payment was approved.

“And also other issues disclosed from the document,” said Husam in a media statement yesterday.

The Salor state assemblyman said that the explanation given by TH chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim regarding the matter during a press conference yesterday only angered the people. READ ALSO: Tabung Haji decides to sell TRX land - Abdul Azeez

“The sale of the land within this one or two weeks with a profit of RM5 million is supposedly done to respect the its depositors.

“He said it is also done upon the advice given by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak this morning (yesterday),” he added.

Husam said the announcement made by Abdul Azeez that TH had agreed to sell the land which it refused to do so in the beginning created many questions among it including the integrity of TH and the credibility of the UMNO Supreme Council member.

“Can a board change its decision easily just upon the ‘advise given by the Prime Minister’?

“If that is the stand of TH, how are we to ensure that the decision taken earlier to purchase the land was not upon the ‘advice of the Prime Minister’?” questioned Husam.

Abdul Azeez in a press conference yesterday had announced that TH would sell the recently purchased land from 1MDB worth RM188.5 million at the Tun Razak Exchange.

He said that the decision taken by TH was done upon the advise of the Prime minister in respect to the depositors trust.

On Friday, The Benchmark blog as well as other blogs published a document, claiming that TH has purchased two plots of land at Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) for the price of RM772 million, using the money deposited by contributors and not the government’s money.

Following the revelation, the former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had urged for TH to cancel the transaction immediately.

Dr Mahathir said that the depositors cash used by Tabung Haji for the transaction is not owned by them.

"The money in Tabung Haji is from contributors and Tabung Haji has been entrusted to manage it well, in a manner permitted in Islam. This money is not Tabung Haji’s. It is sad when this money is used to bailout 1MDB from its debts,” said Tun M.

"1MDB made a massive profit. Actually, this land was supposed to be a Bumiputra trade centre. But 1MDB has set aside this project. Is this how Tabung Haji utilises the money that people have entrusted them with?" he questioned.

"This plan needs to be cancelled immediately," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has also expressed support for the statement by the UMNO Youth in calling on the Finance Ministry and Tabung Haji to explain on the land purchase by Tabung Haji from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).