KOTA BARU: The cost of performing the Haj will go up by about 50 per cent after the government decided to increase the price of the annual Muslim pilgrimage due to external developments.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said the government adopted the move after the Saudi Arabian government increased their value-added tax (VAT) rate to 15 per cent.
However, he added the exact amount would only be known early next year.
"Following the decision by the Saudi Arabian government to raise the VAT rate to 15 per cent, the haj cost is expected to go up to RM30,000 from the current charge of more than RM23,000.
"But the actual cost for performing the haj will be announced to the pilgrims after the government has made its final decision," he said.
Speaking to reporters after presenting a donation to fire victims here today, Ahmad Marzuk said the increase among others was due to the enforcement of new standard operating procedures (SOP) to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
A total of 18 families who lost their homes in the fire which occurred at Jalan Gajah Mati here on Nov 11, received the donation from Ahmad Marzuk.
"Apart from the increased VAT rate, it is also due to the implementation of the SOP to contain the pandemic in the country," said Ahmad Marzuk.
"As usual, the government through Tabung Haji will bear half the cost to perform the haj but the exact amount has yet to be known."