KUALA LUMPUR: The government's request for an increase in its haj quota from Saudi Arabia has been met with approval by the travel and tour operator community.
The Malaysia Bumiputera Travel and Tour Operators Association (Bumitra) spokesman, Harun KC Ahmmu, said if the request was granted, it would help reduce the long waiting period for Malaysians wanting to perform their religious obligations.
He said that a shorter waiting time would particularly benefit the older generation.
"Many Muslims in our country are still waiting for their turn to perform the haj, and the queue is long.
"We would certainly welcome any positive news from the Saudi government if additional quotas could be granted to us," he told the New Straits Times yesterday (Dec 12).
Yesterday, Malaysia formally requested an increase in its haj quota during a meeting between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
"Tawfiq was unable to give an immediate response but assured us that he would make every effort to accommodate our request," said Mohamad after attending a dinner with the Malaysian community in Madinah.
He added that the request had been made not only verbally but also through previous written submissions.
Malaysia's haj quota for 2024 is 31,600 pilgrims, the same as last year.
The Malaysian Umrah and Haj Travel Agencies Association (Papuh) has urged both the government and Tabung Haji to fully use any increase in the haj quota from Saudi Arabia.
To ensure this, its chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Razali Mohd Sha. suggested that part of the additional quota be shared with other haj travel agencies to maximise its usage.
"If we request it and get it, we must use it. We shouldn't let it go unused.
"There's no issue for other agencies to benefit from the additional quota. In fact, there are now 37 companies, up from 22 previously," he said.
Tabung Haji, Malaysia's Islamic institution responsible for managing haj services, plays a key role in ensuring the welfare of Malaysian pilgrims.
The allocation of haj quotas is based on the Muslim population of each country, a system established during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation conference in 1988 in Amman, Jordan.