DPM: WE’LL DISCUSS HAJ SUBSIDY
Issue to be reviewed once Mujahid gives details, says Wan Azizah
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will meet Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa to discuss the issue of subsidy for successful appeal applicants and “mahram” (those chosen to escort female pilgrims) to perform the haj.
She said the matter would be reviewed once she received clarification from Mujahid, who handles the religious affairs portfolio.
“I have yet to get the details. I just knew of it through the press.
“I will meet him to discuss the matter,” she said at the Chinese New Year open house at SJK(C) Lee Rubber here yesterday.
Dr Wan Azizah was commenting on news claiming that individuals who were successful in their appeals and as “mahram” to perform the pilgrimage, would not be eligible for the subsidy anymore, after the reply posted by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH)’s on its Facebook page went viral.
On Saturday, Mujahid said the government had never issued any official statement on the abolition of this subsidy for those who were successful in their appeals and those who were chosen to escort female pilgrims (mahram) this year.
He said the subsidy allocation would be based on TH’s decision.
He said he would meet TH to find a better mechanism as it would be unfair if the subsidy was given to those who were financially capable.
Dr Wan Azizah said the nation’s inflation rate of 1.0 per cent proved that the government under Pakatan Harapan was capable of rebuilding the economy.
“The inflation rate last year was at 1.0 per cent and it is the lowest since 2009.
“In 2017, the inflation rate was 3.7 per cent. New measures and policies taken by the government in the past nine months have showed good results.”