By NNN-Bernama,
Kota Baharu (Kelantan, Malaysia) : The government is negotiating with the Saudi Arabian authorities for special additional quota for Malaysians to perform the Haj so more could do so.
Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, Jamil Khir Baharom, said the 26,000 quota now was not enough given the rising number of pilgrims each year.
He said given the existing quota there was concern that some elderly folks would not be able to perform the Haj.
“This was because elderly people, especially those 75 years and above, were more prone to various sickness risks.
“So we are negotiating with the Saudi Arabia authorities to give an additional special quota for two or three years to reduce the number awaiting their turn for a longtime,” he told reporters here Friday.
Jamil Khir also said the government gave a subsidy to pilgrims as it was a consideration of the government to lighten the burden of those were less finacially capable.
He said the government provided a subsidy of RM2,620 to each pilgim and this came to about RM57 million a year.
Jamil Khir said the government was also finding a mechanism to reduce the waiting list of pilgrims.
To that end, he said the government encouraged teenagers to save with Tabung Haji while still in school by setting up the TaHa savings club and having special officers in the offices.