KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 14): Lembaga Tabung Haji is proposing amendments to the Tabung Haji Act 1995 to bar active politicians from its board.
In a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, who oversees the pilgrims fund, said the proposed amendment was part of efforts to strengthen governance.
He said Tabung Haji had since 2018 adopted the policy of requiring board members to be non-active politicians who are “fit and proper”, with priority given to those with industry expertise, experience and background.
Tabung Haji defines an active politician as a member of Parliament or state assemblyman, or someone holding a position at the national, state or division level of a political party.
“To strengthen governance, Lembaga Tabung Haji will propose incorporating these appointment criteria into the amendments to the Tabung Haji Act 1995,” Zulkifli said.
He was responding to Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who asked about the government’s plans to strengthen Tabung Haji’s governance, particularly to enhance board members’ accountability.
Tabung Haji came under renewed scrutiny since on July 29, when the government declassified the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report into the pilgrim fund’s affairs from 2014 to 2020.
The RCI report highlighted governance failures in Tabung Haji, particularly involving financial risks, political interference and improper transactions.
Among its findings was that political considerations had influenced key decisions, including hibah distributions and board appointments.
The report also found that the government’s freeze on haj fees for Muassasah pilgrims (those who perform the haj under Tabung Haji's direct supervision instead of a private travel agency) since 2009 had forced Tabung Haji to subsidise the pilgrimage using its investment profits.
It also found that broad provisions in the law allowing the appointment of a chairperson and several board members from among politicians between 2014 and 2018, causing public unease because of potential political conflicts.
On Wednesday, Zulkifli said Tabung Haji had implemented 13 of the 17 recommendations from the RCI.
The remaining four recommendations were still being implemented and involved proposed amendments to the Tabung Haji Act 1995, as well as the scope of oversight by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia.
To a separate parliamentary question, Zulkifli said Tabung Haji’s total deposits stood at RM95.1 billion as at June 2026, with deposits exceeding withdrawals by RM1.7 billion in the first half of the year.
For comparison, deposits stood at RM93.4 billion in 2025, with RM23.1 billion in deposits and RM21.4 billion in withdrawals, leaving a net inflow of RM1.7 billion. Tabung Haji distributed RM3.2 billion in profits that year, he said.
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