KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has submitted an official letter to the Saudi Arabia government requesting an increase in the haj quota for Malaysian pilgrims in the coming haj season.
According to Tabung Haji (TH) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zukri Samat, the Malaysian government is seeking an increase of 10,000 haj pilgrims for this year – up from the current quota of 30,200.
“We have yet to receive a reply from the Saudi Arabian government.
“If we are unable to obtain the (requested increase of) 10,000, we will settle for an addition of 8,000 pilgrims so that we can shorten the waiting period for future haj pilgrims,” he said at a press conference after attending the Khatam Al-Quran and TH World #QuranHour event here, today.
Zukri said TH may face difficulties in arranging flights and accommodations for haj pilgrims this year if the Saudi Arabian government responds to the request only at the last minute.
“We hope a decision could be made as soon as possible, because the first group of haj pilgrims will depart on July 4.
“Over the past few years, we have had our requests (on raising the quota) both approved and declined. It is hard to say what our chances are (this year),” he added.
Zukri said that offer letters have already been distributed to 30,200 pilgrims who have been selected to perform haj this year.
On May 4, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said that the Saudi Arabian government had not indicated when it will respond to the request for the haj quota increase for Malaysian pilgrims.