RCI recommends statutory status for TH’s haj affairs committee

The RCI recommended that standard provisions relating to quorum, meeting procedures, casting of votes, the chairmanship, vacancies, disqualification and disclosure of interests concerning the haj affairs committee be incorporated into Act 535.PETALING JAYA: The royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into Tabung Haji (TH) has recommended that the TH haj affairs committee be given statutory status under the Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535), with clearly defined responsibilities.According to the RCI’s report, the committee, which assesses and decides on matters relating to haj operations, was established after the haj advisory council’s dissolution in 2018 following the repeal of the Tabung Haji Board Act 1969.“As haj management is the core function of the TH board, the commission is of the view that it is appropriate for the haj affairs committee to be given statutory status under Act 535,” the report said, Bernama reported.The RCI proposed that the committee advise the religious affairs minister on haj policies and planning, deliberate on issues affecting pilgrim welfare, and consider other matters referred to it on haj operations.It said the committee should also recommend improvements to haj management, provide feedback to the TH board's management on haj administration issues, and propose measures to enhance services for pilgrims.The RCI proposed that the TH chairman head the committee, while its members should comprise the Islamic development department (Jakim) director-general, the waqf, zakat and haj department director-general, representatives from the foreign and health ministries, as well as three members appointed by the religious affairs minister.It further recommended incorporating into Act 535 standard provisions on the committee's quorum, meeting procedures, casting of votes, the chairmanship, vacancies, disqualification and disclosure of interests.“The commission also recommends that members of the haj affairs committee be paid honoraria, travelling allowances and subsistence allowances as determined by the TH board,” the report stated.A dedicated haj fund departmentSeparately, the RCI recommended the establishment of a dedicated haj fund department under Act 535 to manage TH depositors' funds, with oversight by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to enhance investment management professionalism.The RCI said this would allow TH to retain its inve…