MOF to begin talks on return of assets to TH - PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will begin discussions on the handing back of part of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) assets which were transferred to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in 2018, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also 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 chairman 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 here today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar was also present.