Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) today said that RM5.9 million was allocated for its rebranding exercise despite claims by a PAS MP that he had obtained a classified document suggesting that the actual cost was RM18 million.
In a statement, TH said the fee allocated to the consortium appointed for the rebranding exercise amounted to RM5.9 million over three years.
It said the fee covered research and market studies, audits and branding plans, public relations, as well as internal culture-building training.
“To date, RM1.6 million has been paid according to the payment schedule. TH stresses that no other contracts or appointments have been made under this initiative,” it said.
The fund also said it remained committed to ensuring that decisions were made in line with the established guidelines and in the best interests of its depositors.
Yesterday, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Ramli Nor warned Pengkalan Chepa MP Ahmad Marzuk Shaary to prepare for possible legal action if he proceeded with a motion involving the classified document on TH’s rebranding.
Ramli said although Marzuk was protected by parliamentary immunity while in the House, he might still be investigated by the police outside Parliament.
Marzuk had said he intended to include the document in a motion to be submitted to the office of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar previously insisted that TH had never allocated as much as RM20 million for the rebranding project.
He also said that the initiative involved a comprehensive market study and engagement with 9.6 million depositors to better understand their needs.
