KUALA LUMPUR: Half of all pilgrims selected for haj this year have declined the offer to perform the pilgrimage citing financial difficulties, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) said of the 9.7 million depositors, 53% of Tabung Haji (TH) savers have less than RM1,300 in their accounts.
“At present, 53% of TH’s 9.7 million depositors have savings of less than RM1,300, which is insufficient to perform the haj. Meanwhile, 50% of pilgrims selected for the 2025 haj season have rejected their haj offer due to financial constraints.
“Taking all these factors into account, and based on detailed data and trend analysis that has been conducted, TH must take strategic steps through this initiative to ensure it remains relevant.
“This is critical, especially to encourage more Muslims to save consistently to perform the haj,” he said in a written parliamentary reply dated Nov 19.
Mohd Na’im was responding to a question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) on the cost and financial allocations for TH’s ongoing rebranding initiative.
Mohd Na’im said the decline in depositor savings has been gradual, with total savings growth in recent years driven mainly by reinvested dividends rather than organic contributions.
He said TH currently faces stiff competition from alternative savings and investment products such as unit trusts, gold, education funds and private retirement schemes.
“TH was established with two primary objectives, which is to serve as a haj savings institution and to facilitate the pilgrimage of Malaysian Muslims to the Holy Land.
“Its commitment and continuous efforts each year have placed TH among the best haj service providers in the world, as recognised through the Labaytum Diamond Award from the Saudi Arabian government.
“However, TH’s role as a savings institution has begun to be affected. TH is now less seen as a savings body capable of attracting consistent deposits, as it must compete with other more attractive savings or investment products such as unit trusts, gold, education savings schemes and private retirement schemes,” he said.
To address these challenges, Mohd Na’im said TH is undertaking a brand rejuvenation initiative aimed at strengthening its position as the preferred savings institution for Malaysian Muslims.
“The initiative seeks to rebuild depositor confidence and encourage more consistent savings among future pilgrims.
“TH has allocated RM5.9mil for consultancy services for the three-year initiative, with RM1.9mil spent so far.
“No other contracts have been finalised, and the funding comes from TH’s existing annual budget for marketing and communications,” he added.
