KOTA BARU,Sat - Tabung Haji is discussing with the National Registration Department on the possibility of using an online system to verify the fingerprints of depositors.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Brig Jen (Rtd) Datuk Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin said these were among the security precautions taken to prevent a repeat of the spate of illegal withdrawals from depositor accounts amounting to RM8.97 million last year.

“We are discussing with the NRD. I have spoken personally with NRD director-general (Datuk Azizan Ayoub) on the matter,” he said after launching the matter,” he said after launching the Statelevel haj  training programme here today.

He was responding to questions on the steps taken by the board to prevent the illegal withdrawal.

Abdul Hamid said Tabung Haji had introduced a new system for withdrawing deposits at all its offices in the country since the incidents.

He said the stringent measures included checking depositors’ documents with ultra-violet equipment and bar code scanner.

“Finger prints and signatures are also compared with their personal records through an imaging system,” he added.

On the management of Tabung Haji Abdul Hamid said the Government had made sweeping changes in the line-up by appointing experts and professionals in its investment committee.

“However, we cannot expect things to improve overnight,” he added.

On the dividend for depositors this year, the Minister said it was expected to be announced this month or the latest by early February.

Abdul Hamid said the dividend was expected to be comparable with the prevailing interest rate and dividend paid out by other trust funds.