MELAKA: Pilgrims eligible to receive compensation following the temporary postponement of umrah travel have until March to open a Tabung Haji (TH) savings account for the purpose.

       Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad said the period was extended because more than 1,000 pilgrims have yet to open a TH account, the sole medium to be used for the payment.

       “The compensation payment will be made this Friday (Feb 18) and we hope pilgrims who are eligible to receive it will immediately open a TH savings account ... the payment will be extended until March,” he said, adding that it would be made using the account as TH is available everywhere, including in villages.

       He told reporters this after attending the opening ceremony of the state-level Multaqa Murabbi Ummah at Al-Azim Mosque here Tuesday (Feb 15), officiated by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

       Also present was the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) deputy chief executive of operations Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee.

       Idris said he had also instructed TH to inform its branch offices nationwide to facilitate the opening of savings accounts to ease the payment process.

       It was reported that pilgrims affected by the temporary postponement of umrah travel would each receive RM1,671 in compensation to be paid out on Feb 18.

       The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry had compiled a list of 8,027 pilgrims eligible for the compensation. Of that number, nearly 1,000 still do not have TH savings accounts. – Bernama