RIYADH: Malaysia has been selected to be the first country for the 'Mecca Road Service' initiative with Saudi Arabia, which aims at facilitating pre-clearance process for Malaysian haj and umrah pilgrims.
The initiative was one of the three memoranda of understanding inked between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh yesterday, during the visit by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to Saudi Arabia from March 6.
The agreement aims at ensuring a more efficient pre-departure management system covering matters in the entry of haj and umrah pilgrims, in particular at points of departure, by calling on a tighter cooperation from authorities from both countries, including Tabung Haji and the Foreign Ministry, as well as Saudi's Ministry of Haj and Umrah and the Saudi Customs Authority, to name a few.
Under the agreement, the Malaysian government will take the necessary measures to facilitate the issuance of entry visa/pass for the Saudi government through its coordinating team members.
Subsequently, entry procedures for the pilgrims upon their arrival at Saudi Arabia will also be expedited.
"The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take the necessary measures to issue visas for the entry of the Mecca Road Service pilgrims into its territory upon fulfilling the necessary requirements," it said, adding that the measures include collecting biometric data and ensuring that the applicants satisfy health requirements.
The second MoU was built on the backbone of brotherly relations between the two countries, leading to the formation of the Saudi-Malaysian Coordination Council (SMCC), with the aim of intensifying the bilateral cooperation between both countries for regular consultations in multiple sectors.
Previously known as the High Level Strategic Committee (HLSC), a Coordination Council will be established between the two countries under the chairmanship of the foreign ministers of both nations.
The establishment of the Coordination Council and its tasks shall adhere to the existing commitments and cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, it said.
The third MoU aims to strengthen, enhance and develop cooperation between the two countries in a number of fields, including matters relating to da'wah and guidance as well as academic training and research.
These initiative will be undertaken by Malaysia's Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and Saudi Arabia's Islamic Affairs, Da'wah and Guidance Ministry.