PUTRAJAYA, Prominent businessman and founder of RHB banking group Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain has been appointed as Tabung Haji (TH) chairman, effective today (Dec 20).
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mohktar, in a statement today, said Abdul Rashid is taking over from Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.
He said Abdul Rashid's extensive corporate experience is invaluable in continuing the excellence of TH as a world-class Haj management institution.
Abdul Rashid, who is a Member of the Board of Governors of the International Islamic University, has previously served as a Board Member and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Khazanah Nasional Bhd (1994 to 1998) and Putrajaya Holdings chairman (1995 to 2000).
He was awarded the Tokoh Maulidur Rasul Award at the Federal Territory level for the year 1445H/2023M in recognition of his contributions to the country and society.
According to Mohd Na'im, Abdul Rashid was also among the six individuals appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to serve on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) for Tabung Haji (TH).
Mohd Na'im also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Azman for his dedicated service and outstanding leadership in heading the TH Board of Directors.
Meanwhile, TH Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Syed Hamadah Syed Othman, in a statement, hoped that Abdul Rashid's appointment would make the agency a respected Islamic institution for its achievements and good governance.
This, he said, was in line with the mandate of TH's establishment, which is to make it easier for Muslims to save for their haj pilgrimage, which is the fifth Pillar of Islam.
Syed Hamadah also expressed confidence that efforts to strengthen TH will continue with the experience and leadership of the new chairman.
"TH welcomes his appointment and is grateful to receive a respected figure with experience, especially in business and the person responsible for founding the RHB Group, one of the largest banking groups in the country," he said.
Meanwhile, TH, in the same statement, thanked Azman for his services as the TH chairman since Dec 20, 12021.
"He succeeded in ensuring TH's financial position is stronger by recording total deposits of RM 88.9 billion up to Nov 30, 2023, an increase of almost seven per cent compared to RM83.3 billion on Jan 1, 2022," it said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency