TABUNG Haji (TH) must strengthen its governance and ensure its leadership has the expertise needed to manage a major financial institution, following weaknesses highlighted in the recently declassified Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, or better known as Tok Mat, called on all parties, particularly TH's current management, to learn from the shortcomings identified in the report and tighten governance and working practices to prevent similar problems from recurring.
"The current management of Tabung Haji needs to learn from this so that weaknesses in the organisation's governance and working practices can be strengthened and tightened.
"This is important to ensure that there are no further incidents that could cause harm to an institution, especially when it involves the interests of millions of people," he told reporters after attending the Ziarah Kasih programme in Taman Pinggiran Senawang today.
Mohamad, who is also UMNO deputy president, said political affiliation should not automatically disqualify an individual from being appointed to an organisation such as TH.
Instead, he said, suitability should be assessed according to a person's background, capabilities, qualifications and integrity.
"They cannot simply make sweeping statements. We cannot make blanket statements. There are politicians who have managed organisations successfully.
"I managed a car company for a while, but nothing ever happened. So we cannot say that politicians are not good.
"People who are not involved in politics can sometimes perform even worse in organisations and be involved in even more problems," he said.
Separately, Mohamad Ikmal Ahmad Nordin, a data analyst with Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia's Economic Agenda Team, said TH's governance issues must be examined comprehensively to identify their root causes, despite the institution's recent recovery efforts.
He said TH, which manages substantial assets, required senior leadership with specialised expertise in finance, investment and accounting.
He recommended that key positions be entrusted to professionals such as fund managers, accountants and actuaries with the ability to assess financial statements and manage large-scale assets.
Mohamad Ikmal also proposed separating TH's religious and haj management functions from its financial operations.
He said such responsibilities could be delegated to relevant authorities, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) or the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), allowing TH to focus on financial management and investment operations.
He also called for stronger strategies to support younger depositors, including targeted savings schemes that could make performing the haj more accessible and affordable.
He said forensic audits involving TH-related entities should continue to trace historical fund flows, identify systemic weaknesses and strengthen public confidence.
Speaking on Bernama TV's Darah Muda programme, Mohamad Ikmal said returning TH to its core mandate while ensuring greater transparency would be crucial to rebuilding public confidence and securing its long-term stability. - August 15, 2026
