World · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysian Politicians Call for Inquiry into Tabung Haji Management
Senior government figures have backed separate calls for formal investigations into the management of Malaysia's pilgrimage fund Tabung Haji following alleged irregularities. Both a Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee probe and a royal commission inquiry have been proposed.
LSN Malaysia ·
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi has suggested the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) could establish a special task force to examine Tabung Haji's operations since 2017, following concerns over the fund's financial management and investment decisions in recent years.
Meanwhile, Takiyuddin Hassan, a senior government lawmaker, has expressed openness to either a new royal commission of inquiry or a PAC investigation into the matter. His position signals growing political support for formal scrutiny of the institution, which manages savings for Muslim pilgrims planning to perform the Hajj.
The renewed calls for investigation reflect mounting public and parliamentary pressure over Tabung Haji's handling of funds and its exposure to troubled investments. The fund, which serves as a mandatory savings scheme for Malaysian Hajj pilgrims, has faced criticism over financial losses and governance concerns in recent years.
Previous inquiries and audits have flagged management and investment issues at the institution. The latest push for investigation suggests lawmakers across government are now aligned on the need for comprehensive oversight of the fund's post-2017 operations.
The choice between a PAC investigation and a royal commission will likely depend on further deliberation among government officials and parliamentary leadership in the coming weeks.