{
  "id": 13692584,
  "title": "TH depositors' money not used to fund Perkeso for religious workers - Zulkifli",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/th-depositors-money-not-used-to-fund-perkeso-for-religious-workers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T10:23:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1553184/th-depositors-money-not-used-fund-perkeso-religious-workers-zulkifli"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PUTRAJAYA - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan clarified in a statement today that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) depositors' savings were not utilized to fund Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) contributions for 40,000 mosque personnel and takmir teachers across the country. He emphasized that these contributions were wholly funded by a special government allocation, which TH administered as the implementing agency.\n\nZulkifli stated that the government's decision to fully fund the contributions acknowledges the service of religious personnel and safeguards their welfare, social protection, and overall wellbeing. He strongly denied any claims or assumptions that pilgrims' savings had been used for this purpose, labeling them as entirely untrue and speculative.\n\nThe beneficiaries of this funding include imams, bilals, mosque caretakers, and takmir teachers who serve Muslim communities nationwide. Zulkifli reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that TH maintains integrity in managing its trust funds and upholds transparent corporate governance in line with Syariah principles. He highlighted that the government continues to prioritize the welfare of mosque personnel and takmir teachers, aiming to safeguard religious institutions and foster the development of the Muslim community in Malaysia.",
  "summary": "PUTRAJAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan said that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) depositors’ savings were not used to pay Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) contributions for 40,000 mosque personnel and takmir teachers nationwide.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : TH Depositors’ Money Not Used To Fund PERKESO For Religious Workers - Zulkifli",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/general-th-depositorsa-money-not-used-to-fund-perkeso-for-religious",
        "published": "2026-10-11T05:47:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Claims that Tabung Haji depositors’ money funded Socso contributions for religious workers untrue, says Zulkifli Hasan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/claims-that-tabung-haji-depositors-money-funded-socso-contributions",
        "published": "2026-10-11T07:23:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}