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TH told to investigate claims of pilgrims falsifying health status [NSTTV]

KOTA BARU: Tabung Haji (TH) has been directed to investigate allegations of haj pilgrims falsifying their health status.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said there were pilgrims who had allegedly lied about their health status so that they could perform the haj.

"The government has instructed TH to look into such claims to determine if they are true or otherwise.

"We are still waiting for TH to get back to us on this. Until then, we cannot confirm the allegations made," he told reporters after handing over cash aid to 13 victims who lost their properties in a series of fire and storm incidents.

Meanwhile, on the issue of Zam Zam water, Marzuk said TH or the relevant agencies would handle the consignment on behalf of the haj pilgrims.

"Malaysian haj pilgrims should not worry over this and should refrain from packing the Zam Zam water in their own luggage. Instead, they can get their supply of the Zam Zam water once they arrive in Malaysia at the airport."

Marzuk also said the public should not buy Zam Zam water sold in the country.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was quoted as saying that no company or distributor in Malaysia had obtained a licence for the import and sale of the Zam Zam water, thus the authorities would reject such consignments for its import.

As such, he said Zam Zam water (bottled/packaged products) advertised or sold in the market would be deemed as dubious in terms of its authenticity.

Since 2012, RM83,618.20 worth of Zam Zam water had been seized by the authorities, Dr Noor Hisham had said.

On the issue of "badal haji", Marzuk said the public must be careful when hiring a person to perform the pilgrimage on behalf of their family members who were not physically able to do so or who had died.

"They must ensure the fee imposed is reasonable and not above the standard fee," he said.

He also advised Malaysian pilgrims to bring their own medicines in case they were taken ill while performing the haj.

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