PETALING JAYA: Lembaga Tabung Haji announced haj payments for the B40 and non B40 group at RM10,980 and RM12,980 respectively this year.

       Its Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin said this was part of Tabung Haji's targeted structuring of haj payments according to the current scenario.

       "The increase is RM1,000 and RM3,000 for both the B40 and non B40 groups respectively from 2019.

       "The increase in cost is due to the value added tax (VAT) which has shot up from 5% to 15%, insurance coverage for Covid-19 and visa charges by the Saudi Arabia government.

       "We have allocated a total of RM150mil for haj assistance this year, which will be given out directly to the haj pilgrims," he said in a press conference here on Friday (April 22).

       He added priority will also be given to first time haj pilgrims this year as part of the targeted structuring.

       "This is the second time an increase for haj payments has taken place. Previously, for the past 13 years, the haj payment was maintained at RM9,980.

       "There are 37 days left for the first flight of haj pilgrims.

       "We are in the midst of final preparations and we would like to urge the pilgrims to be ready in terms of health, monetary and other necessary things.

       "Pilgrims are required to get their medical check up and respond to their offer letter as soon as possible, which will be given out starting Monday (April 25)," he said.

       On Thursday (April 21), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad announced that only 14,306 Malaysian pilgrims are allowed to perform haj this year.

       This was a mere 45% of the normal quota of Malaysian pilgrims given by Saudi Arabia.

       Idris said that Saudi Arabia is only allowing one million pilgrims to perform haj this year, with foreign pilgrims getting 85% of the total number, compared to 75% in 2019.

       The criteria for this year's haj include pilgrims need to be under 65 years of age, and have completed their two Covid-19 vaccinations as approved by the Saudi Health Ministry and pilgrims must submit a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.

       These requirements are to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims from around the world, Idris added.