by AKMAR ANNUAR
LEMBAGA Tabung Haji (TH) has announced an RM261 million targeted financial assistance plan for the 1446H/2025M haj season to reduce costs for first-time Muassasah pilgrims while ensuring its financial sustainability.
TH MD and CEO Syed Hamadah Syed Othman said the move is aimed at easing financial burdens, particularly for the B40 and M40 income groups while ensuring fairness for all pilgrims.
“This allocation brings the cumulative haj subsidy to over RM2.8 billion over the past 25 years. While this financial support ensures affordability for pilgrims, it also safeguards TH’s financial resilience and investment returns for depositors,” he said during the announcement at Menara TH Tun Razak today.
Haj Costs and Financial Assistance Breakdown
The total cost for performing haj for Muassasah pilgrims has been set at RM33,300 per person for the 1446H/2025M season, despite rising global expenses driven by factors such as increasing oil prices and infrastructure developments in Saudi Arabia.
Financial aid for pilgrims is allocated based on their income group to ensure affordability while promoting fairness.
Pilgrims in the B40 income group will receive a subsidy that covers 55% of the total haj cost.
In addition to this, the government will contribute RM1,000 per pilgrim. As a result, B40 pilgrims will only need to pay RM15,000 for their haj journey.
For pilgrims in the M40 income group, the subsidy covers 29% of the total cost.
This reduces their payment to RM23,500, significantly lowering the financial burden compared to the full haj cost.
Meanwhile, pilgrims in the T20 income group are required to pay the full haj cost of RM33,300.
“This approach aligns with the istito’ah principle in Islam, which mandates that individuals who can afford to bear the full cost of haj should do so without financial assistance,” Syed Hamadah explained.
TH has been progressively reducing haj subsidies since 2022 to safeguard returns for depositors.
Syed Hamadah also announced that TH will issue haj offer letters to 31,600 selected pilgrims beginning today.
Pilgrims must complete payments and health screenings promptly to confirm their participation.
“Every year, we receive around 70,000 to 80,000 appeals to perform haj, with many willing to bear the full cost. However, allocations remain subject to the Saudi Arabian haj quota,” he said.
He added that confirmation is yet to be received regarding additional quotas for Malaysian pilgrims from Saudi authorities.
Despite rising operational expenses, TH has kept haj costs stable at RM33,300 through strategic cost-management measures.
Accommodation, flights and services, which account for 87% of the total cost, are primarily driven by external factors such as increasing oil prices and rapid infrastructure development in Makkah and Madinah.
“Through long-term contracts and negotiations, TH has ensured cost stability while maintaining service quality for pilgrims,” Syed Hamadah said.
He elaborated that accommodation costs in Saudi Arabia have surged due to significant urban developments, but TH remains committed to securing stable and affordable rates for Malaysian pilgrims.
Positive Trends in Financial Awareness
Syed Hamadah also highlighted an encouraging trend where 700 pilgrims from the B40 and M40 groups voluntarily opted to pay the full haj cost between 2022 and 2024, reflecting a positive shift in financial awareness and responsibility among pilgrims.
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