Religious affairs minister explains why B40, M40 pilgrims paying full Haj cost

MECCA: Pilgrims from the B40 and M40 groups, who are selected to perform the Haj after making an appeal, have to pay the full Haj cost of RM30,850 per person because they are not in the queue for the current Haj quota.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the priority of performing the Haj this year was given to those listed to perform the pilgrimage in 2020, 2021 and 2022 which were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“When there is a vacancy, we will open it for those who are not in the queue. Their turn may be in 2025, 2026 or 2027 and are eligible to receive Haj financial assistance during those years.

“These people make an appeal and successful, the appeal policy is for those who are financially capable or ‘istito’ah’,” he said when replying to a question from one of the pilgrims at a meeting at Tabung Haji (TH) headquarters, Abraj Janadriyah here.

The cost to perform Haj for muassasah pilgrims from the B40 group (first time) is set at RM10,980 per person, while RM15,980 for those from the M40 group.

In a press conference later, Mohd Na’im explained that there were 60,000 TH depositors who were waiting for their turn and were willing to pay the full amount, but were not selected.

He said some 69 Haj pilgrims from the B40 and M40 groups had refused financial assistance to perform the Haj this year and paid the full cost.

Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im said all 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims had arrived in Mecca with the last flight carrying 357 prospective pilgrims arriving in Jeddah last night.

He said 56 pilgrims were being treated at the TH treatment centres and five at the Saudi Arabian health facility.

A 75-year-old female pilgrim died of lung infection on June 19, making two deaths recorded so far among Malaysian pilgrims, he added.