PUTRAJAYA, Oct. 11 -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan said that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) depositors' savings were not used to pay Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributions for 40,000 mosque personnel and takmir teachers nationwide.

He said a special government allocation fully funded the contributions, channeled through TH as the implementing agency.

Zulkifli said the government's decision to fully fund the contributions recognises religious personnel's service and helps safeguard their welfare, social protection and wellbeing.

"Any claims or assumptions that pilgrims' savings have been used are entirely untrue and speculative," he said in a statement today.

The benefi...