Minister Zulkifli Hasan: Tabung Haji to face tougher oversight as govt acts on RCI findings

On August 12, Malaysia's Minister Zulkifli Hasan announced that the Tabung Haji (TH) organization will face stricter oversight and regulatory measures as part of the government's efforts to prevent similar issues from recurring. The decision to implement amendments to the Tabung Haji Act 1955 followed a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat, where the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) findings were discussed for over 10 hours.

The task force leading the reforms consists of Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, the TH chairman, Bank Negara Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, and Securities Commission (SC) chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi. Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the task force plans to recommend regulatory control of the TH's funds and investments by the SC, while the management of the haj pilgrimage will continue to be overseen by the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) minister.

In addition, Zulkifli Hasan disclosed that TH had faced losses of nearly RM13 billion, with the government at risk of assuming liabilities of around RM74.5 billion in 2018 if panic withdrawals occurred. The Madani Government, according to Zulkifli, is committed to accountability and thorough investigations without favoritism.