VOXPOP Lembaga Tabung Haji contributors have expressed confidence that their deposits in the pilgrimage fund are safe and will not withdraw their cash, despite a Bank Negara advisory that the fund's reserves are in the red.

Amiruddin Osman, 61, for one, is confident that with the guarantee given by Putrajaya that the deposits are safe, as stated in the Tabung Haji Act.

"I started depositing in Tabung Haji in 1982 and have performed the Haj twice. I will not withdraw my money as Tabung Haji has given its guarantee," the Jalan Semarak food court sundry goods seller told Malaysiakini .

Asked if he was worried that his deposit may end up being used for questionable purposes, Amiruddin ( photo ) said that he is confident that Tabung Haji will manage his money wisely.

"For now, I will not do anything. Prior to this when the economic situation was dire in 1997, my savings in Tabung Haji remained secure," he said.

Asked to comment on other depositors who may be withdrawing their cash, Amiruddin said he did not share their worry.

He added that it was up to the individual to decide, and stated that others who had not kept their funds in Tabung Haji for long periods like him, may not share his confidence.

The same confidence in the viability of Tabung Haji was shared by Shahril Osman, 60, who is also a trader.

While he confessed that he harboured some reservations, Shahril ( photo ) said that he was sure the government would not allow anything to happen to the Tabung Haji funds.

"I do worry, but Tabung Haji is owned by the government, so I am confident that as depositors, we will be protected. People say that Tabung Haji funds are depleted but I am sure the money is still there and won’t be touched," he said.

Indeed, even if the government were to make use of Tabung Hai funds, Shahril believes that it will be replenished.

"If the government wants to borrow my money, I ask that it be returned when it is my turn to perform the Haj," he said, adding that all plans for the use of Tabung Haji funds must also be announced to the depositors first.

"If the government wants to use Tabung Haij money, I want to know for what purpose. They cannot just take it without informing us. I work hard to save money, it is not as if I am well off," he said,

‘Faith shaken’

Some, like housewife Farah Eliana Adnand, 27, said she did have a thought about withdrawing her savings in Tabung Haji, but after considering the situation, she decided to give the fund a chance to rectify its mistakes.

"I considered withdrawing my deposit, but I believe that Tabung Haji wouldn’t want that to happen. Even if it may have erred, I will still keep my money in Tabung Haji.

"Yes, the rakyat's faith in the fund has been shaken but it is okay for us to give them another chance to rectify their errors," Farah ( photo ), a mother of one, told Malaysiakini .

An assistant manager at a petrol station, Md Nurudin Md Yusof, 32, said he saw no reason to withdraw his money from Tabung Haji yet. However, he may do so if the situation got worse.

"For now I don't think it’s necessary. But I want to make sure I have enough money saved up to perform the Haj. So, if possible, I don't want to touch it," Nurudin said.

Commenting further, Nurudin said he trusted Tabung Haji from long ago for its role as facilitator for Muslims seeking to go on pilgrimage to Mecca. Thus, he is hoping for the best as his main aim is to save enough money to perform the Haj.

"From long ago, Tabung Haji is one of the more trustworthy of financial agencies. In the current situation, I am hoping for the best, as my main purpose is to set aside enough money to go on my pilgrimage," he said.

However, Nurudin ( photo ) added, it would be best if Tabung Haji was not dragged into the political agenda of those with vested interests, as the fund is a sacred trust that must be performed to the best of its abilities.

Asked if she would withdraw her savings after concerns over the pilgrimage fund's reserves, goreng pisang seller Wan Azizah Saman, 60, she said that she would seek clarification from Tabung Haji on the status of her deposits.

"If this is the case, tomorrow I will ask my husband to go to Tabung Haji to ask about my money and get the real story," Wan Azizah, who appeared rather worried, said.

She said that she worked hard for her money and did not want it to be used up, willy-nilly, by the government.

"I have kept my money in Tabung Haji since three years ago and it now amounts to RM18,000. My husband has about RM15,000 in the fund. We have enough for the cost of performing the Haj, but we are still waiting for our turn," she said.

Asked again if she would withdraw her money in Tabung Haji, Wan Azizah ( photo ) said that she might do so.

"My intention is to save money to perform the Haj. I won't allow anyone to take my money and use it as they please," she said.

On Tuesday, Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz is reportedly to have said that Tabung Haji reserves were in the red and it may not have enough to pay dividends to its 8.8 million depositors unless corrective measures were taken.

Zeti reportedly told Tabung Haji chairperson Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim that its assets were only enough to repay 98 sen for every ringgit of its liabilities.

Section 22 of the Tabung Haji Act prohibits the fund from declaring dividends if its liabilities outstrip its assets.

However, Tabung Haji managing director and CEO Ismee Ismail has given his assurance to depositors yesterday that their savings were safe.

Ismee said the Tabung Haji deposits were guaranteed by Putrajaya and added that the fund would be declaring its dividends and bonus in early February, as per its norm.