KUALA LUMPUR: The cost of performing the haj - one of the five pillars of Islam – is set to increase this year, and prospective pilgrims in Malaysia are advised to be prepared.
Indonesia has recently announced a 70 per cent increase in Haj fee for prospective Muslim pilgrims performing the annual pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah this year.
The rise is unavoidable, said Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), an Islamic institution responsible for managing and preparing haj services for Malaysian pilgrims.
TH Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin said in a statement earlier, the cost of the haj pilgrimage is expected to increase this year to around RM31,000 compared to RM28,000 last year.
However, Amrin said despite the likely increase, the agency will continue to provide targeted Haj Financial Assistance funded by its investment income to all prospective Muassasah pilgrims.
Besides Malaysia and Indonesia, prospective pilgrims in Brunei and Thailand are also affected by the rising cost of performing the haj.
TH has also said that the factors contributing to the higher haj cost are beyond the agency's control.
Significant hike after pandemic
Sharing his thoughts, senior lecturer of the Faculty of Major Language Studies, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Associate Professor Dr Azlan Shaiful Baharum said the issue is not new.
Based on his experience as a mutawif (haj guide) with various private agencies since 2016, he said a significant rise in the cost of performing the haj was seen after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The impact has not only been felt by Muslims in the country but prospective pilgrims from other nations as well.
"Perhaps the difference for Muslims in other countries such as Indonesia is that the people are willing to pay more for the haj pilgrimage as it is the only time for them to be in the holy land while for Muslims in other nations, the fee hike will not be a problem given the higher value of the foreign exchange rate.
Sharing similar sentiments, the Head of the Department, of Language and General Studies, Faculty of Business and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Associate Professor Dr Shuhairimi Abdullah said Indonesian Muslims are being burdened by the higher fees compared to the previous years.
However, he said there is a difference in the haj fees between Malaysia and Indonesia based on the considerations and requirements that have to be borne by haj pilgrims.
"The facilities provided by TH for haj pilgrims in Malaysia are different than those given by Indonesia's haj management agency, as TH offers free medical treatment services and various other services such as books and haj handbooks that are given free.
"There is also a difference in logistic costs as well as other facilities including accommodation provided by TH for pilgrims is located nearer to Masjidil Haram (less than 1,000 metres)," he said.
Citing a news report from April last year, the Indonesian government was expected to cut the haj subsidy for its people.
According to Suara.com, the government had to resort to slashing the subsidy given the high cost incurred and it will be implemented gradually.
Head of the Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) Anggito Abimanyu was reported to support the move, noting that haj is for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey.
The real cost of performing the haj in that country for an individual is about 70 million rupiahs (RM20,000).
However, Indonesian pilgrims need only pay half of the total, which is about 35 million rupiahs (RM10,000).
Indonesia's Religious Affairs Ministry's Haj and Umrah Management director-general Hilman Latif said there is coordination in haj travel cost (Bipih) paid by Muslims performing their haj this year.
In 2022, the Bipih for Haj pilgrimage amounted to 39.8 million rupiahs (RM12,958) per person out of total added.
He said one of the basic prerequisites for performing the haj pilgrimage is that the individual must be financially capable or istito'ah, and as such, haj pilgrims must be realistic and be open to accepting the higher cost.
Shuhairimi also called on TH to review the Haj turn selection by giving priority to senior citizens to perform the haj.
He said if TH continues to maintain the concept of a 'first-come, first-served basis' which was introduced in 1995, the elderly citizens will not be able to perform the haj.
"Perhaps, TH may allocate a 30 per cent quota every year to the senior citizens, and I believe that if the practice of turn selection continues, this cluster will not be able to perform the haj due to the ageing factor as well as ailing and health problems," he added. – Bernama