Ex-auditor-general's Tabung Haji defence faces scrutiny over inquiry process

The credibility of the former auditor-general's defence of an earlier audit opinion on Tabung Haji has come under question following assertions by a prominent accountant about the sequence of events during the inquiry process.

According to senior accountant Khalid Ahmad, the inquiry examining the national audit department's handling of Tabung Haji had already reviewed the audit report before ultimately rejecting the clean opinion that had been issued. This account suggests potential discrepancies in the timeline or sequence of decision-making that has previously been presented regarding the matter.

The dispute centres on the audit department's assessment of Tabung Haji's financial position and the subsequent findings of an official inquiry into how that audit was conducted. The divergence between the initial clean opinion and the inquiry's rejection of that assessment has attracted significant public attention given Tabung Haji's significance as a pilgrimage savings scheme for Malaysian Muslims.

The clarification of what was reviewed and when remains important for understanding the full circumstances surrounding the audit process and any potential procedural questions about how the inquiry was conducted. Officials have yet to respond comprehensively to the accountant's assertions about the sequence of events.