ALMOST all of the pilgrims selected to perform haj this season are from the B40 and M40 groups, Islamic Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said. 

“For the 1440H haj season, 45.7% of the selected pilgrims are from the B40 group and 52.3% are from the M40 group, whereas the remaining 2% are from the T20 group,” he told Dewan Rakyat today. 

The senator said Tabung Haji had collaborated with the government to check the information of prospective pilgrims with the existing database based on their income.

“Tabung Haji identified B40 and M40 group pilgrims based on the list of Rahmah Cash Aid recipients from the government, while the T20 group is classified as those who have a monthly individual income of more than RM15,000, and are not based on household income,” he said during the minister’s question time. 

He was responding to a question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (Kuala Krai-PN), who asked on the criteria used to classify the B40, M40 and T20 groups in selecting individuals to perform haj for the 1444H season and the number of pilgrims to receive the offer this year.

Na’im also said for the 1440H haj season, the cost for each pilgrim rose to RM30,850. 

“This is an increase of 8% against RM28,632 last year. 

“The cost increase is inevitable because the costs are exposed to factors beyond Tabung Haji’s control, including the rate of inflation, taxation in Saudi Arabia, the exchange rate of the ringgit against Saudi’s riyal and the US dollar, the ongoing expansion projects in Makkah and Madinah, which caused many pilgrim hotels to be demolished and hence putting pressure on the accommodation rates as well as charges by the Saudi Arabian authorities for various services for the welfare and comfort of pilgrims,” he said.

Na’im said from last year, Tabung Haji had introduced targeted haj financial assistance for the B40 and non-B40 groups. 

This effort continues in 2023, while the T20 group has to pay in full.

“The decision to set the full payment was made based on the concept of istita’ah where haj is only reserved for those who are able. 

“Muslims need to understand this concept of istitha’ah because it is included in the mandatory conditions for those who are capable only. In addition to being able financially for themselves and dependents, all prospective pilgrims also need to be prepared and able in terms of travel safety and whereas in the holy land, they have to be in good health and get permission from the Saudi Arabian authorities. 

“The actual expenses of performing the haj are the responsibility of the prospective pilgrim,” he said.

Na’im said targeted haj payments do not contradict the conditions of istitha’ah and it is not wrong for prospective pilgrims to receive help or donations from certain parties and they are also not obliged to accept them. 

On a supplementary question about the quota to perform haj this season, Na’im said the government has written to its counterpart in Saudi Arabia requesting additional quota and is still waiting for a reply. – June 8, 2023.