Increase in haj cost justified, reasonable, assures Deputy Minister in PM’s Department
SEREMBAN: The increase in the cost to perform haj this year is attributed to factors such as currency exchange rates, the impact of the Covid19 pandemic and Value Added Tax (VAT), according to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan.
However, he points out that the rise in the cost is justified and still reasonable due to the escalating expenses borne by Tabung Haji (TH).
“Looking at the global economic developments, we have to increase the cost, but TH and the government are trying to ensure that pilgrims are not burdened by the expenses while also providing substantial financial assistance to the pilgrims this year,” he told reporters after officiating at the closing ceremony of an introductory haj course at the Paroi Jaya Mosque here yesterday.
According to him, 63 per cent and 42 per cent of the total haj cost for pilgrims from the B40 and M40 groups, respectively, are covered by the government, in addition to RM1,000 financial aid provided to the B40 pilgrims.
“This reflects how the government and TH have made efforts to lighten the burden on the pilgrims this year,” he added.
On Friday, TH announced that the haj cost for a prospective Muassasah pilgrim this year would be RM33,300, versus the RM30,850 set last year.
The group managing director and chief executive officer, Syed Hamadah Syed Othman, explained that the cost for first-time pilgrims from the B40 and M40 groups would be RM12,356 and RM19,152, respectively.
In contrast, those under the T20 group would be charged the total cost of RM33,300 per person.