‘TH committed to aiding pilgrims’
WELFARE: Cost of performing haj maintained since 2009, says PM
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has demonstrated its commitment to aid pilgrims by maintaining the cost of performing the haj since 2009.
He said the cost remained at RM9,980 per person with a subsidy of almost RM8,000 per pilgrim, which was about RM160 million this year.
“Nowhere else in the world can one find such a deal, where the subsidy is almost as much as the payment,” said Najib.
“While the prices of so many things have gone up, we (the government) remain firm on not increasing the payment for haj and other essentials, such as medical check-ups and medication, which cost only RM1.
“It goes to show that the government and TH are committed to protecting Prime Minister at the launch of Yayasan Tabung Haji at the yesterday. With him are ( from left) Tabung Haji group managing director and chief executive officer Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department the welfare of pilgrims.”
Najib said the interests of depositors was protected, with satisfying returns from investments made by TH. He expressed regret that some had politicised the investments made by TH.
These include the decision to buy a plot of land for the development of a residential tower within upcoming financial district Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).
Najib said the detractors were proven wrong as the value of the land had gone up tremendously, making it a good investment.
The prime minister was speaking at the launch of Yayasan Tabung Haji at the Tabung Haji Complex in Kelana Jaya yesterday.
Present were his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, and TH group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Johan Abdullah.
Yayasan Tabung Haji, with an initial allocation of RM5 million from TH, is set up to disburse aid for education and relief in times of natural disasters.
The setting up of the charitable foundation is in line with the call by Najib to private-sector corporations and government-owned companies to play a more active role in the development and welfare of the people.
Najib said the government’s decision to establish TH more than 50 years ago had been the right decision.
He said some Islamic countries tried to replicate the success of TH, but had not been able to do so until today.
“In the 50 years that TH has been around to help the socio-economic of Malay Muslims, we can see that TH is now an institution we can be proud of, as it has met its objectives.
“I hope that TH will continue to be a pride not only for Malaysians, but also all over the world,” he said.