KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) announced depositor bonus of 5% for the financial year 2015 plus an additional bonus of 3% for depositors who have not performed the haj.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the two bonuses amounted to RM3.236bil compared with RM3.237bil in 2014.
The bonus payment would benefit nearly 8.85 million active account holders.
To date, 8.23 million depositors have yet to perform the haj.
For 2014, the pilgrimage fund board paid out a dividend of 6.25% in addition to a 2% special bonus.
Jamil Khir said last year proved to be a record for LTH, which earned RM3.53bil in nett profits after zakat (tithe) payment, which he described as “the highest since LTH started operating 52 years ago”.
“Despite the economic challenges last year, LTH still managed to record good profits,” he told a press conference at Bangunan Lembaga Tabung Haji here.
Jamil Khir also commented on the letter it had received from Bank Negara expressing concerns over the fund’s “negative-level reserves” and its ability to pay dividends and bonuses to depositors.
He said LTH had taken note of the central bank’s concerns.
He pointed out that LTH had intended to distribute the entire profits for 2015 as dividends, but held back RM300mil in reserves after considering Bank Negara’s views and the demanding economic prospects for this year.
Contrary to claims, he said there was no delay in this year’s dividend payouts, which are usually made between February and March.
Jamil Khir reminded depositors that while their deposits were guaranteed by the Government, dividends or bonus payments were based on the fund’s financial performance for the year and given at the discretion of LTH.
“However, every year I have noticed that depositors have taken the view that the dividend payment is a must,” he added.
