Zulkifli: Tabung Haji now in much stronger position after institutional recovery

Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs, stated that Malaysia's Tabung Haji (TH) is now in a much stronger position following an institutional recovery process. When the Madani government took over TH's administration at the end of 2022, the institution was addressing legacy assets that were less competitive and problematic since 2018.

The government allowed TH to restore itself first, and now, with TH in a stronger position, the government is making the report available to the public. Zulkifli expressed appreciation to TH's new management and all parties involved in restoring the institution's financial health. The Minister highlighted that TH has won five World’s Best Haj Management Awards over four consecutive years, demonstrating effective leadership.

The Cabinet unanimously agreed on July 29 to make the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report public and table it for the first time in a special Parliament sitting, while also ordering a full investigation by enforcement agencies. Following this decision, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police initiated investigations, detaining several key individuals involved in misappropriation, as mentioned in the report.

Zulkifli emphasized that the government's commitment to investigating the RCI findings is in line with Sultan Ibrahim's decree, ensuring a comprehensive, transparent, and uncompromising examination. He stressed that the trust placed in TH includes deposits from various groups who save for their children's futures, teachers, small traders, retirees, farmers, fishermen, rubber tappers, and taxi drivers.

The Minister underscored that any breach of trust must be investigated to establish the truth, rectify weaknesses, and prevent recurrence, which was the purpose behind the RCI's establishment. The 211-page RCI report, chaired by former Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Raus Sharif, revealed weaknesses in TH's management and operations between 2014 and 2020 and proposed 25 recommendations for improvement.

As of July 30, 75% of these recommendations had been implemented, with the remaining ones being actively pursued.