KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has been urged to strengthen open communication and expand outreach programmes to explain its governance reform measures and financial position to depositors, thereby restoring confidence in the institution.
Senior lecturer at the Academy of Islamic Defence Studies, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Dr Mohd Kamarul Amree Mohd Sarkam said consistent communication through digital media was vital to demonstrate TH's commitment to addressing its weaknesses and implementing governance reforms.
He said that although the reform process might take time, TH must make full use of digital communication platforms, particularly as most of its depositors were millennials and Gen Z and were active on social media.
"TH needs to demonstrate its seriousness in addressing its weaknesses and implementing governance reforms. Digital communication can help rebuild public confidence in the institution," he told Bernama.
Mohd Kamarul Amree said TH also needed to build a stronger narrative around the quality of Malaysia's hajj management, which has earned recognition from the Saudi Arabian government, to maintain public confidence.
He proposed a comprehensive overhaul of TH's governance, including appointing experts and technocrats with experience in management and business, while calling for an end to political appointments to top management positions.
"Let TH be managed by non-partisan individuals with the relevant expertise so that public confidence can be restored without being influenced by any political ideology.
"In addition, amendments to the TH Act recommended in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Report on TH should be implemented to ensure better governance, while the management of TH's financial funds should be placed under the Finance Minister," he said.
Mohd Kamarul Amree said the RCI report served as an important reminder to all institutions of the need for transparent governance to prevent abuse of power, in line with the government's policy to strengthen integrity and eradicate corruption.
"It is in line with the government's policy to strengthen institutional integrity to prevent and eradicate misconduct and corruption, serving as a reminder to all institutions to uphold good governance and refrain from wrongdoing," he said.
Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said TH needed to assure the public that the RCI recommendations had been implemented to strengthen its financial position.
He said TH should, if necessary, hold outreach programmes such as town hall sessions across districts to help depositors better understand the reforms and boost their confidence.
"TH needs to clearly explain to the public that its financial position remains sound and that the RCI completed its report in 2022, not this year.
"Confusion and misinformation can undermine TH depositors' confidence, and this issue must be given priority," he said.
The RCI report on TH, made public on July 29, documented various weaknesses in the institution's management and governance between 2014 and 2020, and put forward 25 recommendations for improvement.
On Aug 11, a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat was held to allow the report to be tabled and debated by MPs. - Bernama
