Saudi King gives positive response over request to increase haj quota - PM Najib

The King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud gave positive feedback on Malaysia's request to increase the quota of pilgrims this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the role of Raja Salman on the management of the pilgrims is very important and would be given serious attention by the government of Saudi Arabia.

"On the request to increase the quota, Raja Salman gave a positive response and said that it would be given the utmost consideration," he said in a press conference after a meeting with King Salman at the Seri Perdana, here, today.

Datuk Seri Najib added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would also consider a proposal to build two centres for Malaysian pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

"Similarly, Malaysia also made a request to set up two pilgrim centres, one in Makkah which is close to the main mosque and another at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

“The two requests would be considered further by the King of Saudi Arabia in the context of their laws where foreigners cannot own land. So, maybe we can consider long-term rental," he said.

Prior to this, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had reinstated the quota for Malaysian pilgrims to 27,900 for the 2017 haj season compared to 22,230 since 2013.