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PM sad Muslims deceived by rumours on Tabung Haji
Published:  Feb 12, 2016 6:42 PM
Updated: 12:46 PM
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Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has expressed sadness that Muslims in Malaysia have been deceived by irresponsible parties with vested political and personal interests, who spread inaccurate information and rumours to the detriment of pilgrimage fund Lembaga Tabung Haji.

"If there were those among the Muslims who were influenced by the rumours until they withdrew their savings from Tabung Haji, this saddens me as according to the terms set, the investors face losses from the lack of returns on their savings and will be unable to perform the Haj in Mecca," he wrote in a blog post.

He said that the spread of false news without verification can lead to disharmony and distrust of Malaysian society in Islamic financial and welfare institutions.

Najib related that one of the roles played by Tabung Haji is as the investment arm to assist Muslims invest and gather funds via syariah-compliant means, for them to be able to afford to perform the Haj.

"But because of the rumours, those who take out their savings will no longer enjoy the returns from their deposits in Tabung Haji. Worse still, they will also lose their place in the queue to perform the Haj," he said.

According to Tabung Haji's terms, those who want to register to perform the Haj must keep a minimum savings in the pilgrimage fund. Anyone withdrawing their savings to less than this or in toto, will not be eligible to queue for a place to perform the Haj.

Najib reminded all that other than assisting with syariah-compliant investments, Tabung Haji was set up to help Muslims perform the Haj and has done a commendable job on both counts.

"It is certainly regrettable that all the hard work of Tabung Haji, as well as the facility it provides for Muslims who are pursuing one of the pillars of Islam, are brought to naught because of the actions of politicians and social media users."

He lamented that some have kept their money in Tabung Haji for years, until the twilight of their days. But deceived by the rumours, they lost their turn to perform the pilgrimage.

"Isn't that such a regrettable loss?" he asked.

Najib accused some quarters of using the issue in their political chessman-ship, aiming to incite the people's hatred, advising those who are doing so, to stop their slander.

"Do not make the spreading of politically motivated slander our culture. We must not allow others to suffer losses, like in this case, some Muslims will lose income from their savings and will not be able to fulfill their obligations to Islam," concluded the PM.

The PM's comments was aimed at recent leaks of Tabung Haji documents showing dwindling reserves and letters it received from Bank Negara, cautioning about possible lapses in its risk management.

The matter has raised public concern and was highlighted by opposition politicians, though Tabung Haji and the government contends that everything is hunky-dory.

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