Tok batin, pondok teachers among 1,000 who receive haj sponsoprship

PUTRAJAYA: One thousand people, including two Tok Batin and eight pondok teachers, today received haj sponsorship under the Prime Minister-1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Foundation Special Haj Programme 2014/1435H.
Their offer letters were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak at Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque here today.
Apart from the sponsorship, they also received cash of RM1,000, sarongs and a box of dates each.
In his speech, Najib said the programme was aimed at showing appreciation to the valuable deeds and contributions of imam and chairmen of village security and development committees nationwide.
"All of you had contributed so much. It is not easy being an imam. Imam and village heads have a big role in our society. I always believe that these two institutions are important pillars of social harmonisation in the country," he said.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hassan Malek, 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin and Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
"InsyaAllah, (God willing) the programme will continue in the future. Maybe we can sponsor bilal and tok siak (caretaker of mosque) to perform the fifth pillar of Islam," the prime minister said.
Najib also advised the potential pilgrims to show good manners and discipline while in the Holy Lands.
"Always protect the country's good name and don't forget to pray for Malaysia to remain peaceful and prosperous," he said.
At the event, Najib also launched national-level Ramadan Al-Mubarak programme and distribution of dates and zam-zam water to all mosque nationwide. – Bernama