150 muslims from Sarawak to take part in 1MDB foundation special Haj Programme

A total of 150 imam and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairmen from Sarawak will be picked to take part in a special Haj Programme under the 1Malaysia Development Berhad Foundation (1MDB).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said 75 imam and 75 JKKK chairmen would be picked from the state.

"We leave it to the state government to decide who will be picked to perform the haj under the programme," he announced during his visit to the Saratok Jamek Mosque here, today.

He said the contribution to perform the fifth pillar of Islam was in appreciation of the good deeds and leaderships of the imam and JKKK chairmen at the grassroot level.

The programme was started by the 1MDB Foundation in 2011 with 111 pilgrims nationwide. The number was boosted to 400 people in 2012, 800 (2013), 1,000 (2014) and 1,200 (2015).

Najib said the number to be picked for Sarawak was high and he hoped they would achieve a 'mabrur' (accepted) haj.

Also present at the ceremony was Sarawak Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Earlier, the Prime Minister opened the Saratok 2016 'Sejiwa Senada' Programme which was also attended by Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.