The 3,105 Tabung Haji (TH) depositors who were not longer qualified to perform the haj, and lost their turn to undergo the pilgrimage, can register themselves again for the purpose. (File pix)
KUALA LUMPUR: The 3,105 Tabung Haji (TH) depositors who were not longer qualified to perform the haj, and lost their turn to undergo the pilgrimage, can register themselves again for the purpose.
However, their applications will be deemed as fresh applications.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said this referred to depositors who had either withdrawn their money or closed down their accounts following claims by the opposition that TH’s financial situation was allegedly in jeopardy.
“Those who had withdrawn their money or closed down their accounts after defamatory statement against TH on its performance, which led to the depositors losing their qualification and turn to undergo pilgrimage, can re-register with the system.
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Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said this referred to depositors who had either withdrawn their money or closed down their accounts following claims by the opposition that TH’s financial situation was allegedly in jeopardy. (File pix)
“But, their applications will be considered new applications and they will have to queue for their turn,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (BN-Tasik Gelugor) during Minister’s Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Shabudin had asked if the 3,105 depositors could appeal to perform the haj under TH.
in 2016, PKR vice-president and Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli had published an articled titled ‘Analisa Kewangan Tabung Haji 2009-2015’ (Tabung Haji Financial Analysis 2009-2015) on his Facebook account, which caused panic and led to a loss of confidence in TH.
A total 3,954 TH depositors closed their accounts, with 3,105 people losing their qualification and turn to undergo the pilgrimage.
Earlier, Jamil Khir, when responding to initial question from Shabudin, said the cost of performing the haj for Malaysian pilgrims for the upcoming season will remain at RM9,980 per person, while TH will bear the remaining RM12,470.
“The cost per person for this year is at RM22,450, an increase by RM2,900 compared to RM19,550 last year.
“The overall subsidy for this year for the Haj will increase to RM400 million, compared to RM300 million last year.”
Shabudin had asked on TH’s preparations for the upcoming haj season given that the cost has increased and the subsidy would be borne by TH.
Meanwhile, on the Smart Haj System as rolled out by the Saudi Arabia government, Jamil Khir said it would improve the pilgrims’ haj experience.
“The use of the latest technology will reduce waiting time at the airport to 10 minutes from two hours currently, on top of the introduction of high-speed trains.”
Reports by MOHD ANWAR PATHO ROHMAN, SYED UMAR ARIFF, LUQMAN ARIF ABDUL KARIM, NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHI AND AHMAD SUHAEL ADNAN
