Tabung Haji to manage 'badal haji' for dead pilgrims

The Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji) will manage the "badal haji" (haj by proxy) for this season's Malaysian pilgrims who died before they are able to perform the 'wukuf'(grand assembly), which falls on Oct 14.

Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said an operations room had been set up to facilitate the necessary arrangements, including obtaining the death certificate of the pilgrims concerned and sending back of their belongings to their next-of-kin.

"So far, eight Malaysian pilgrims died in the holy land, comprising three from Perak, and one each from Kedah, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu and Penang," he told reporters after handing over contributions to the family of Salbiah Osman, 69, who died in Makkah three days ago.

Salbiah is the eighth Malaysian pilgrim to die in the holy land this season.