SEPANG: A total of 127 staff and family members of Media Prima Bhd (MPB) will depart for Saudi Arabia to perform umrah today.
They will leave for Makkah from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 5.30pm, and will continue until Oct 19, facilitated by Arrayyan Travel Services.
Media Prima Group chairman Datuk Seri Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid said that, for the first time, four former MPB staff members will join the programme, fully sponsored by current staff through salary deductions.
"This programme is set to continue in the coming years, and I understand this is the 15th year.
"Each year, the number of participants increases, and this year we have over 120 people, including some who are bringing their parents along to perform Umrah," he told reporters before the send-off.
Also present were Media Prima Television Networks (MPTN) and Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Nini Yusof and MPB senior employee relations manager Fauzi Hashim.
Syed Hussian said that this initiative should continue, describing it as a wonderful gesture.
"Earlier, I met one of our retired staff members, who felt excited that we remembered and invited them to perform Umrah together.
"I hope this initiative continues… This is an effort by the human resources department and surau to collaborate. It shows the thoughtfulness of bringing the staff together," he said.
Meanwhile, Fauzi said that this programme is an initiative by the company to subsidise staff members who are performing Umrah for the first time.
He said that this programme aims to provide them with the opportunity to fulfil their religious responsibilities and realise their dreams.