Tabung Haji: Public Concern and Future Direction

Abstract

The organisation of pilgrimage welfare in Malaysia traces back to the Sultanate of Malacca in the 15th century, as recorded in the classical Malay literature of Hikayat Hang Tuah. In modern times, the Muslim Pilgrim Ordinance was launched in 1951 by the British administration to oversee the welfare of pilgrims. Among the primary areas in which the ordinance wishes to assist are the financial management and preparation by the pilgrims before they depart to Mecca, in addition to funeral arrangements of pilgrims who passed away. Based on the idea of Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Ungku Abdul Hamid, a renowned Malay economist and Royal Professor, the Parliament established the Malayan Muslim Pilgrims Savings Corporation in August of 1962, under the Parliament Act No. 34. The corporation was initially established to pioneer a shariahcompliant investment vehicle to help Malayan Muslims perform the last pillar of Islam and manage their funds in a shariah-compliant manner. PDF