‘PILGRIMS’ SUBSIDY RETAINED FOR NOW’
‘Govt to do this via better business plans, practices’
THE government will strive to maintain the cost of performing the haj for Malaysian pilgrims through new and better business strategies to ensure that they continue being subsidised at the same rate for upcoming seasons.
In giving this assurance, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs, Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, said the government would endeavour to do this through better business plans and practices by Lembaga Tabung Haji’s (TH) new management.
TH in July appointed Tan Sri Mohammed Nor Md Yusof as its chairman, and Datuk Seri Zukri Samat as its chief executive officer.
Mujahid said a new board of directors would be appointed to chart new and better business strategies for the pilgrims’ fund.
He said for the time being, the subsidy amount would be retained even though it was high.
“We will look at reducing the subsidy only when Malaysians have the means,” he told Malaysian reporters at TH headquarters Abraj Al-Janadriyah.
The subsidy given to first-time pilgrims is RM12,470 this year, 56 per cent of the actual cost of RM22,450, with pilgrims only paying RM9,980. The rate has been in use since 2009. TH bore a subsidy of RM400 million this year.
Mujahid said the Pakatan Harapan government placed importance on trustworthiness in doing business.
“Profit will go back to the people — in this case, pilgrims — and not into the pockets of those with personal interests.
“We will combat corruption to the very end. In this regard, TH is in the process of returning to its basis and the core of its establishment in that profit should go to those it serves — the pilgrims. It will help and give those who want to perform the haj an avenue to save their money.”
He said the RM12,470 subsidy was high, but it would be absorbed via the best means possible.
“No country in the world does this. But the basis of TH’s establishment is to serve pilgrims, and we will adhere to that.”
He said the government wanted TH to be the benchmark for managing the best haj operations in the world.
TH’s exemplary services and Malaysian pilgrims’ excellent image, he added, resulted in Malaysia being accorded many privileges this year.
“I would like to thank the Saudi government for the new initiatives and privileges, including the fasttrack immigration system, airconditioning in Arafah tents, ceramic tile flooring in Mina tents and official approval for Malaysian pilgrims to perform the stoning ritual at a good time — after Asar prayers — with other Southeast Asian nations.”
The minister said he personally experienced the faster arrival process courtesy of the preclearance privilege accorded by the Saudi government to Malaysian pilgrims this year.
“It used to take up to 12 hours. Now, within one hour, we are on our way to the hotel. This is a tremendous improvement.”