MALACCA, 13 June 2017:
The government is expected to bear the cost of increased haj subsidy amounting to almost RM60 million, in line with the increase in the cost of pilgrimages this year.
Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the amount of subsidy borne by the government last year was about RM180 million and the subsidy reduced the burden on pilgrims by ensuring the cost for each pilgrim remained at RM9,980.
“This year, there is an increase in haj subsidy from RM180 million to more than RM230 million…a drastic increase of almost RM60 million. This amount will be borne by the government with each pilgrim given a subsidy of RM9,750.
“So far, we have more than 30,000 Malaysian pilgrims (for this haj season), and this figure is expected to rise to 40,000 if we get an additional quota at the last moment.”