THE proposal to shorten the window for performing the haj, especially those under the muassasah, will reduce costs for Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), the Dewan Negara sitting was told today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said shortening the period would make pilgrims stay in Mecca and Medina during the peak of the haj, thus contributing to the increase in costs.

“For the muassasah package managed by TH, the length of stay of pilgrims is between 40 and 45 days.

“In general, by shortening the duration of the muassasah package, the pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia and stay in Mecca and Medina during peak season, when the price of flight tickets and rent is very high,” he replied to senator Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya during the question-and-answer session.

According to Na’im, TH has taken steps to ensure that costs will not increase every year by signing a long-term contract agreement with several parties in Saudi Arabia involving flights, accommodation, meals, and various other services for Malaysian pilgrims.

TH Group managing director and chief executive officer Amrin Awaluddin said the cost of performing haj has increased to RM30,850 this year compared with RM28,632 last year. – Bernama, April 6, 2023.