Malaysia finalises 1,000 extra haj slots from waiting list, says deputy minister Marhamah Rosli, as 31,600 pilgrims travel this season.
KOTA BHARU: All 1,000 additional haj quota allocated to Malaysia this year are being managed by Tabung Haji (TH) based on its existing waiting list, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli said.
She explained that the allocation of the additional quota is subject to TH’s discretion, as official appeals had already closed in February.
“There have been a large number of appeals, both formally submitted to TH and through ministerial channels.
“However, as haj flights are already underway, the number of pilgrims should by now be finalised,” she told reporters after officiating the Little Haj by Little Caliphs programme here today.
On haj operations, Marhamah said a total of 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims are scheduled to travel to the Holy Land this season via 100 flights. The first group of 284 pilgrims departed last week, with operations involving three to four flights daily, expected to conclude by May.
Meanwhile, she said Malaysian pilgrims will continue to benefit from the Makkah Route initiative at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
“Under this initiative, Saudi authorities complete passport stamping and immigration procedures at KLIA itself. This means that upon arrival in Madinah, pilgrims no longer need to queue for long periods and can proceed directly to their accommodation and begin their ibadah activities as planned,” she said.
On another development, Marhamah urged the public to remain calm and refrain from speculating on an ongoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation involving a non-governmental organisation over alleged misappropriation of zakat funds.
She stressed that authorities must be given full space to conduct a thorough investigation without interference.
“Let the authorities carry out their work. We should not speculate or become agents of division that could spread negativity. The public must remain calm,” she said.
