Tabung Haji to increase subsidy allocation for haj

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pilgrims' Fund Board (Tabung Haji) is increasing its subsidy allocation for next year's haj season to reduce the haj cost, which is expected to increase.
Its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Johan Abdullah said variable factors such as increase in flight fare, haj accommodation and currency rate should be taken into account in determining the haj cost before the subsidy amount could be decided.
"The haj cost increases every year. The price for 2017 will not be the same as in 2016, we expect a slight increase," he told reporters after the launch of the Iqra programme by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom here today.
Earlier, Jamil Khir, in his speech, said Tabung Haji spent more than RM160 million to subsidise the haj cost for Malaysian pilgrims during the last season to ensure the amount remained at RM9,980 per person.
The actual haj cost for a Muassasah pilgrim is RM18,890 per person for the last season. — Bernama