KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — The company appointed for Lembaga Tabung Haji’s (TH) branding exercise is a consortium of four local firms, selected based on expertise and capabilities aligned with the project’s requirements.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the consortium comprises professionals of various races, and the appointment was approved through TH’s procurement processes and governance, which are overseen by its board of directors.
“Since 1963, TH has carried out brand reviews three times, in 1969, 1995, and 2009. TH consistently upholds the highest standards of corporate governance and complies with all procurement policies and procedures.
“TH has always prioritised Bumiputera companies under its procurement policy. Last year, 81 per cent of TH’s appointed vendors were Bumiputera firms, accounting for 70 per cent of TH’s total expenditure,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today.
For the branding project, Na’im said TH has confirmed the consultancy cost is RM5.9 million over three years, and not RM20 million as alleged.
Meanwhile, Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) was suspended from Dewan Rakyat for two days today after failing to comply with Deputy Speaker Alice Lau Kiong Yieng’s instructions.
During Na’im’s clarification on the involvement of non-Bumiputera firms in the TH branding exercise, Marzuk repeatedly interjected, disrupting the session.
Lau initially asked Marzuk to leave the chamber for 30 minutes, but after he continued his provocation, she ordered him escorted out.
“I had given you 30 minutes to leave and return afterwards, but Yang Berhormat (Marzuk) continued speaking without permission. Would you prefer two days (out of the chamber)? Very well, two days it is,” Lau said.
