Tabung Haji in good shape, depositors will get dividend - Azeez

Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) is in a good financial shape and would be able to announce an encouraging dividend in the first week of next month, its chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said.

Dismissing claims that LTH is facing financial difficulties, he said: "We are not operating at a loss and we do not need the government to come to our rescue.

"It has been our practice to announce the dividend in the first quarter before Chinese New Year and by the first week of the second month. This is in our calendar," he told reporters at Parliament House here today.

He said the strong financial performance also enabled LTH to subside haj pilgrims to the tune of RM160 million this year from RM150 million last year, otherwise, it would not be able to do so.

"Although the haj would cost RM18,980 this year, LTH only charges each pilgrim RM9,980. This means a first-time pilgrim is getting a subsidy of RM8,910. This will not be possible if we are running at a loss," he said in response to reports on its negative reserve levels.

In a press statement yesterday, LTH group managing director and chief executive officer Tan Sri Ismee Ismail said throughout the 2014 and 2015 financial years, LTH’s total asset value was higher than its liabilities, taking into account the fair value of all its investment portfolios.

“LTH has been performing well financially... For example, our cash assets alone as at December 31, 2015, stood at RM10.7 billion,” he said.

On a warning letter from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to him, claiming that LTH's liabilities outweighed its assets, Abdul Azeez said the central bank did not take into account the total value of its investment in other sectors.

"The assets mentioned by BNM did not take into account the equity investments of LTH's subsidiaries or associated companies besides that of real estates and plantations," he said.

Abdul Azeez said he had discussed with his lawyers on the leaked confidential BNM letter and would press charges against those responsible in necessary.