SHAH ALAM - The move by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to provide Haj Financial Aid (Hafis) to B40 and M40 pilgrims who will perform Haj for the first time this year is expected to strengthen the company's finances.
UniKL Business School Economist Associate Professor Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said the move has opened up opportunities for TH to give higher dividends to depositors compared to the previous year.
"The move will definitely reduce Tabung Haji's burden and further strengthen its finances.
"It is expected to have a positive effect on TH's profits as a whole and potentially provide good dividend payments for this year," he told Sinar Harian on Monday.
Aimi Zulhazmi said the amount of cost the T20 groups need to pay is the actual cost needed to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.
In that regard, he said the government's move to introduce targeted financial assistance to perform Haj is a proactive move and the B40 group will also be prioritised to be given the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage.
"This is the best model introduced by TH as it aligns with their original establishment foundation to help Muslims in Malaysia to peform Haj," he said.
However, he said the T20 pilgrims may upgrade their choice to a more comfortable Haj plus package.
"They can still enjoy the five-star TH service that is known by Muslims worldwide for their best service in terms of efficiency, service support and health," he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 31,600 pilgrims who will perform Haj this year will receive offer letters tomorrow.
Lembaga Tabung Haji executive director Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said prospective pilgrims must pass a health examination before responding to the offer letter within the seven working days period via THiJARI app.
"For the pilgrims selection, TH will give priority to potential Haj pilgrims whose turn to perform Haj is in 2020, that are aged 65 years old and above, followed by those who are to perform Haj in 2021 and then in 2022 and 2023.
"This is according to the Haj registration system that practice the first-come and first-serve principle.
"Haj appeals through THiJARI online platforms will be open from March 27, with priority given to mahram appeals," he said in a press conference here on Monday.
He added that 50 per cent of prospective pilgrims consisted of B40 groups while 48 per cent consisted of M40 group and remaining 2 per cent are from T20 group.
"In the offer letter, we give payment options to prospective pilgrims to either pay at the rate set according to the group category or they can pay more according to their financial means.
"This is because, many pilgrims from B40 groups last year had paid more or in full amount.
"This action slightly helps Tabung Haji and reduces the amount of Haj Financial Aid (Hafis) that we have to bear," he said.