PUTRAJAYA, Oct 11 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan said that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) depositors’ savings were not used to pay Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributions for 40,000 mosque personnel and takmir teachers nationwide.

He said a special government allocation fully funded the contributions, channeled through TH as the implementing agency.

Zulkifli said the government’s decision to fully fund the contributions recognises religious personnel’s service and helps safeguard their welfare, social protection and wellbeing.

“Any claims or assumptions that pilgrims’ savings have been used are entirely untrue and speculative,” he said in a statement today.

The beneficiaries include imams, bilals, mosque caretakers and takmir teachers serving Muslim communities nationwide.

Zulkifli said the government is committed to ensuring that TH upholds integrity in managing its trust funds and maintains transparent corporate governance in accordance with Syariah principles.

He said the government will continue to prioritise the welfare of mosque personnel and takmir teachers to safeguard religious institutions and support the development of the Muslim community in Malaysia. — Bernama

Note: Socso is also known as Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso) in Malay.