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‘Not About Race or Religion’: IKIM chief says Tabung Haji RCI is about protecting trust

Mohamed Azam stresses the need to rebuild confidence among Muslim and non-Muslim depositors

5:00 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR — The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Tabung Haji is fundamentally about integrity, governance and public confidence, rather than issues of race or religion, said Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) director-general Datuk Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil.

He said rebuilding trust among the public and depositors must be the priority to ensure the Islamic pilgrim fund retains its credibility and achieves long-term sustainability.

“Most importantly, we want to restore the confidence of the public and depositors in Tabung Haji. Without the trust of the people, depositors, Muslims and non-Muslims, in Tabung Haji’s credibility, we are concerned that the institution may not achieve the sustainability it requires,” he said.

Mohamed Azam was speaking to reporters after a media literacy programme on the RCI findings jointly organised by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) and IKIM at Jalan Duta today.

He said it was important for the public to properly understand the issues raised in the RCI report, particularly due to Tabung Haji’s significant role in assisting Muslims in performing the pilgrimage to Makkah.

The programme was aimed at helping media practitioners and the public gain a clearer understanding of the inquiry’s findings from an Islamic perspective, while also providing insight into the enforcement actions that have followed.

Meanwhile, MPI president Datuk Yong Soo Heong said journalists must have a comprehensive understanding of the report and related issues to ensure accurate information was conveyed to the public.

“I think if we go to other places, with the cooperation of IKIM and others, this would be a wiser step so that the public and communities can learn more about an issue that is extremely important,” he said.

Yong also highlighted the significance of Tabung Haji, describing the institution, along with its investors and depositors, as important components of the country’s financial landscape.

The programme was held as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) continues investigations into matters raised in the RCI report.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman said investigators had opened 14 investigation papers and conducted searches at 28 premises, mainly in the Klang Valley, linked to the inquiry’s findings.

He added that 115 individuals had been interviewed at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

Of the six main issues identified by the RCI, three have been fully investigated, with recommendations for criminal charges submitted in certain cases, while others were closed with no further action.

The remaining three areas of investigation are nearing completion, Abdul Halim said. – August 14, 2026

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