Tabung Haji today urged its depositors not to buy into speculation that their bonuses are “late”, given that it is not even the end of January.

The Muslim pilgrimage fund said Tabung Haji conventionally makes its bonus announcement in the first quarter of the year, that is, by March.

This is to ensure all internal audits have been completed, it said.

“There have been years when we announced the bonus at the end of February or early March. It was announced earlier last year.

“Last year was a challenging year for us, but we believe our strategic allocation of assets has helped us generate returns.

“Therefore, depositors are advised not to buy into speculation and raise anxieties,” the fund’s corporate communications department said in a statement.

The statement comes after Amanah vice-president Mujahid Rawa questioned what he believes is a “delay” in bonus payments to Tabung Haji depositors.

Mujahid said although Tabung Haji has until March to declare its dividends and bonuses, its silence on the matter is deafening, and puts into question the institution’s financial capacity.

“Can Tabung Haji provide members with profitable dividends? Will they be able to entertain withdrawals from depositors?” he asked.

Mujahid also claimed that Tabung Haji’s dividends and bonus payouts exceeded its annual profits.

Based on its financial report of 2012-2014, the average amount for bonuses and dividends amounted to 107 percent more than its profits, he noted.

In 2014 for example, Tabung Haji’s profits were RM2.98 billion, but dividends paid out hovered around RM3.3 billion, he said.

The fund came under the limelight when there were calls to Tabung Haji and Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) to recover RM1.5 billion from 1MDB after the state-owned company purportedly violated the terms of its sukuk (Islamic financial) agreement.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak then advised Tabung Haji to sell off its stake in the Tun Razak Exchange.

This was after public backlash due to claims that Tabung Haji had paid an inflated price as 1MDB had purchased the land from the government at just RM64psf in 2011.