KUALA LUMPUR - The government and Tabung Haji (TH) will consider increasing financial assistance for prospective pilgrims from the B40 income group if the cost of performing the haj continues to rise, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli said TH had continued to provide targeted financial assistance to B40 pilgrims this year despite rising haj costs.
She said the actual cost of performing the haj this year stood at RM33,300 per pilgrim, but those in the B40 category were required to pay only RM15,000, with the remaining RM18,300 covered through TH's financial assistance scheme.
"The assistance is funded through TH's investment returns generated from depositors' savings. Therefore, it must be provided prudently and on a targeted basis, taking into account the needs of prospective pilgrims as well as the interests of depositors as a whole.
"However, TH will study the proposal to increase financial assistance for B40 pilgrims for future haj seasons,” she said in reply to Onn Abu Bakar (PH-Batu Pahat) on whether the government and TH were prepared to increase assistance for B40 pilgrims amid rising haj costs.
Marhamah also said TH was reviewing improvements to its haj queue management system to make it more systematic and equitable, particularly for depositors who had planned ahead, saved consistently and accumulated sufficient funds.
She said the move could reduce the need for repeated replacement offers when selected pilgrims defer their pilgrimage due to financial constraints.
"The main challenge is that haj registrations now exceed four million people, while Malaysia's annual haj quota remains at around 31,600 pilgrims. As a result, newly registered applicants face very long waiting periods.
"The government and TH remain committed to improving the quality of haj services, welfare and safety, with the aspiration of positioning Malaysia as a global leader in haj management and services,” she added. - BERNAMA
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