Govt's move to bear haj cost increase for B40 lauded

KUALA LUMPUR - The government’s decision to bear the RM1,000 haj cost increase for the B40 group has been lauded and described as ‘good news’.

According to Haj and Umrah MATTA vice president, Mohd Azri Abd Razak, the government is taking the right measure in ensuring that prospective pilgrims from the B40 category continue to be given priority and assistance to perform the pilgrimage.

"It is the government's responsibility to help the group financially so that their preparation can be smooth and orderly.

"But for the M40 and T20 groups, the government also needs to think of the best way to help because not all can afford it and choose to perform haj privately, some of them still need the government's help," he told Bernama.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the government’s initiative to assist the B40 group performing haj this year.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Bumiputera Tourism Association (BUMITRA Malaysia) president Harun KC Ahmmu described the assistance as good news for the future 'guests of Allah' at a time when the various costs of performing the pilgrimage are expected to increase.

Sharifah Zaleha Syed Ibrahim, 70, a senior citizen from Terengganu, said she was grateful for the announcement which can help ease her financial burden to some extent if she is offered to make the pilgrimage to the holy land this year.

"Thankfully the government is willing to bear the additional cost of RM1,000, otherwise I will have to find another RM1,000 if I get an offer letter (to perform haj)," she said.

A farmer from Kepala Batas, Penang, Mohamad Fazil Abdul Aziz, 58, said the aid was a relief to the B40 individuals like himself.

"Perhaps for other people RM1,000 is small but for us the amount is huge and I believe it is a great relief for anyone who can go to Mekah this year," he said, adding that he hoped he gets offered to perform the pilgrimage this season.

Fatimah Kassim, 49, who sells nasi lemak said the financial aid proved that the government, especially the Prime Minister, is concerned about the plight of the B40 group.

"...with that help at least the pilgrims can use the RM1,000 as their expenses there," she added.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar was quoted as saying that Tabung Haji expected that the cost of performing haj this year will increase by more than RM2,000 to RM30,850 per person. - BERNAMA