The truth is startling: half of all potential haj pilgrims have turned down their opportunity to perform the pilgrimage, primarily due to financial challenges. But here’s where it gets controversial—many people don’t realize just how deep these financial issues run, especially among the fund’s depositors. According to Datuk Dr. Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, a prominent figure in religious affairs, a significant portion of the 9.7 million people who have deposited money with Tabung Haji (TH) are struggling financially. Specifically, over half—precisely 53%—of these depositors have less than RM1,300 in their accounts, which is generally not enough to cover the costs associated with the haj pilgrimage.
Furthermore, from the current batch of pilgrims selected for the 2025 haj season, an equal percentage—50%—have opted out of their pilgrimage offers because of their inability to afford it. This alarming trend highlights a major obstacle: financial constraints are preventing many Muslims from fulfilling their religious obligation. Based on detailed data analysis and observing ongoing trends, TH recognizes the urgent need to adapt its strategies to stay relevant in the face of such economic realities.
This is particularly crucial because one of the main goals of Tabung Haji has always been to encourage Muslims to save systematically so they can one day undertake the haj pilgrimage. The challenge is that many potential pilgrims simply don’t have enough savings to make this possible, which raises the question: How can this institution better serve its community in today’s economic landscape?
Mohd Na’im emphasizes that the decline in savings in the fund has been a slow, gradual process. Recently, the growth in total savings has primarily come from reinvested dividends rather than new contributions from depositors, indicating that fewer people are actively depositing money into TH. The competition for savings has become fiercer, with various attractive alternatives emerging—such as unit trusts, gold investments, educational savings schemes, and private retirement plans—that are often deemed more appealing or flexible than traditional savings with TH.
Established with two main missions—serving as a haj savings platform and assisting Malaysian Muslims in performing their pilgrimage—the organization has earned a solid reputation, even receiving international recognition like the Labaytum Diamond Award from the Saudi government for its excellent haj services. But now, this reputation is under threat because it is seen increasingly as just another savings institution battling the lure of more profitable and fashionable investment options.
To counteract these difficulties, Mohd Na’im has announced that TH is embarking on a major rebranding and revitalization effort. The goal is to reinforce its status as the premier savings institution for Malaysian Muslims and to rebuild depositor confidence. The initiative aims to motivate more consistent saving behaviors from Muslims intending to perform haj in the future.
For this three-year project, TH has allocated RM5.9 million for consultancy services, with RM1.9 million already spent. Importantly, no additional contracts have been finalized, and the funding comes from the organization’s existing budget designated for marketing and communication activities. Will these efforts successfully revive trust in TH and help it regain its competitive edge? Or will modern financial products continue to overshadow traditional savings schemes? These are questions worth pondering—and perhaps even debating— as the future of haj savings evolves in tandem with Malaysia’s dynamic economic landscape.