Asyraf: Legal process should be fair, transparent

KOTA BARU: Umno Youth hopes the legal process on the alleged abuse of power by Lembaga Tabung Haji’s (TH) former top management is conducted in a fair and transparent manner in court, and not a trial by media.

Its chief, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said he was firm in his stand that a man was innocent until found guilty, and was entitled to be treated as such, based on Islamic principles and legislation.

Asyraf, who is former deputy minister in the prime minister’s department, said the investigation should be speeded up, taking into account public interest and to prevent the reputation of the Islamic institution, which has contributed significantly to Muslims, from becoming embroiled in polemics.

“Umno Youth urges the authorities, especially the Royal Malaysian Police, to speed up investigations on the reports made by TH.

“I take a serious view on media reports today (yesterday) on the reports lodged by TH’s management against the former chairman and senior management of Yayasan TH on allegations of misappropriation of funds for political activities.

“Umno Youth asserts that issues related to integrity and morals cannot be compromised, especially when it involves religious institutions that are expected by the people to practise a higher level of principle of governance,” he said in a statement yesterday.

FILE PIC Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki speaking at the Umno Youth Malaysia meeting in Kuala Lumpur recently. He says investigations into the Tabung Haji financial mess should be speeded up.