Mohamad Hasan calls for tighter Tabung Haji governance after RCI findings

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, known as Tok Mat, has called for stronger governance at Tabung Haji (TH), following weaknesses highlighted in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report. TH, which handles significant funds from millions of Malaysians, must ensure its leadership possesses the expertise to manage such a large financial institution.

Foreign Minister Tok Mat urged all parties to learn from the RCI report's shortcomings and tighten governance practices to prevent future issues. He emphasized that suitability for TH should be based on a person's background, capabilities, qualifications, and integrity, rather than political affiliation. Despite his car company experience, he stressed that politicians can also excel in managing organizations.

Data analyst Mohamad Ikmal Ahmad Nordin argued that TH's governance issues must be thoroughly examined, emphasizing the need for senior leadership with specialized knowledge in finance, investment, and accounting. He also suggested separating TH's religious and haj functions from its financial operations, recommending that these responsibilities be handled by authorities like the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) or the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs).

Ikmal proposed targeted savings schemes to support younger depositors and stressed the importance of forensic audits to trace historical fund flows and identify systemic weaknesses.