FIRST FOR HAJ PILGRIMS
Malaysian pilgrims get pre-clearance by Saudi authorities at KLIA in pilot project
MALAYSIAN haj pilgrims will be the first in the world to use the proof-of-concept (POC) system for pre-clearance at the point of departure to Saudi Arabia.
The pilot ‘pre-clearance’ project, will see Malaysian pilgrims undergoing Riyadh-sanctioned Customs and Immigration checks in Sepang, before arriving in Jeddah and Madinah.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the pilot project would be carried out from today until Sunday.
“This is a programme between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, where our haj pilgrims will undergo a pre-clearance at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport before boarding their flight.
“When they reach Jeddah and Madinah, they can exit the airport without having to go through passport and Customs checks there,” Najib said after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.
Najib said the pilot project would be carried out for the last seven flights of the current haj season.
“This is a pilot project. Malaysia is the first country authorised to carry out the preclearance programme. This is a huge recognition for us.”
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said this would eliminate the need for Malaysian pilgrims to stand in long queues at Immigration points in Saudi Arabia, as experienced in the past.
The system, he said, would benefit pilgrims by giving them more time to perform their ibadah.
“Saudi Arabia’s immigration authorities have been working closely with ELM Saudi Arabia, a Saudi-based company, and Xybase Sdn Bhd, a local company, to implement the system in phases.
“With POC, our pilgrims can go straight to the luggage area (upon arrival in Saudi Arabia).
“They do not have to queue up at the Immigration counter. It will save time,” he said at KLIA, where the system was being put in place.
Also present were Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali.
Azeez said the pilot project was possible thanks to Najib’s strong relationship with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud.
“We should feel honoured and grateful for this National Blue Ocean Strategy initiative by our government with the Saudi government.”
Azeez said at the completion of the trial, the Transport Ministry would provide its feedback to the Saudi government.
“We are hoping for the system to be permanently implemented, subject to the Saudi government’s approval,” he said.