THE government will begin discussions on the handing back of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) assets which were transferred to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by the Finance Ministry (MOF) in 2018, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said this consideration was made after preliminary reports showed that TH was now well managed and that there was increasing confidence among depositors amidst the efficient management of the new leadership of the national haj management institution, who had shown their integrity.
“After studying developments and discussing with the (religious affairs) minister and TH board chairperson Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, I have said from the beginning that once TH is properly managed, MOF will start discussions on the return of all assets held by the SPV.
“This will also disprove the utterly irresponsible slander hurled against the then-finance minister Lim Guan Eng and former government for allegedly transferring them (assets) to a non-Islamic group. No, I have seen the records and they are still held by MOF, and I’m holding them in trust,” he said.
He said this in his speech when launching TH’s 60th anniversary celebration at Menara TH today. Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar was also present. – Sept 29, 2023
