Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today advised Malaysians going to perform the Haj this year to pray for Malaysia to remain peaceful and achieve many successes in the international arena.
"Perform the Haj to the extent possible. Do not forget to pray for our beloved Malaysia. Pray for Allah (God) to shower His blessings on our country so that it remains peaceful and successful and is respected by all.
"Hopefully, all pilgrims will be able to undertake a good Haj. A safe journey to and fro, and undertake the Haj in peace and calm," he said when bidding Bon Voyage to the second batch of Malaysian Haj pilgrims at the Kelana Jaya Tabung Haji Complex near here.
Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Malaysia Mahmoud Hussen Qattan were also present at the event.
The second batch of pilgrims comprises 420 people scheduled to fly to the Holy Land at 9.30 pm. The first batch of about 400 people left at about 6 am.
A total of 112 flights by Malaysia Airlines and Flynas will ferry 30,200 pilgrims to the Holy Land in this Haj season, with the last outbound flight on Aug 26.
Najib drew attention to the good conduct of Malaysian pilgrims and said this had resulted in the Saudi Arabian government raising Malaysia's country quota of pilgrims for this year.
"We in Malaysia benefit from many privileges. Do not think that this came by chance. This is the result of the government's actions.
"It is not that I want to claim credit for everything. This is the outcome of the good conduct of our pilgrims in the Holy Land, a model for others," he said.
Najib also said that the efficiency of government administration and Tabung Haji management were also taken into account by Riyadh in raising the quota that was applied for in 2013 and approved this year.
"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), the quota was raised following the request I made during the visit of King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia recently.
"The special consideration has resulted in the raising of the Haj quota to 30,200 from 27,900. Now, more people can make the pilgrimage. There is no need to feel pressured," Najib said.
He also said that the special and close relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia had contributed to the raising of the quota.
Najib also said that there was a possibility of the subsidy for the pilgrims being raised next year. He did not elaborate.
"We have a subsidy equal to almost the amount paid by a pilgrim, almost 100 per cent. The pilgrims pay RM9,980 and the government subsidises RM9,570. Perhaps, next year, the subsidy will be increased to higher than the RM260 million for this year.
"If Tabung Haji is not managed well and becomes political capital, who will lose? This is our institution that we must care for. It is because of Tabung Haji that we get so much subsidy," he said.
Najib and Rosmah exchanged greetings with the pilgrims.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Jul 24 2017
Najib and wife bid Bon Voyage to the second batch of Malaysian Haj pilgrims at the Kelana Jaya Tabung Haji Complex today. -- fotoBERNAMA
Kertas kabinet wujud sektor sukan dibentang dalam tempoh sebulan - Hannah
Hannah berkata dengan data yang lebih menyeluruh melibatkan sektor industri sukan nanti, pihaknya akan mampu merangsang pertumbuhan sukan di negara ini dengan lebih baik.
Tiga Syarikat Semikonduktor umum melabur di Pulau Pinang - Kon Yeow
Tiga syarikat semikonduktor dari China menyatakan komitmen untuk membuat pelaburan baharu di Pulau Pinang.
Pindaan garis panduan lawatan: Sekolah diharap susun semula program - Fadhlina
Semua sekolah diharap dapat menyusun semula program lawatan masing-masing berikutan pindaan Garis Panduan Lawatan Murid Sekolah pada tahun lepas bagi mengukuhkan pembelajaran di luar kelas, kata Menteri Pendidikan, Fadhlina Sidek.
Kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak dijaga sehingga tamat sekolah - KPM
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia akan memastikan kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak 10 pegawai dan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia yang terkorban dalam nahas helikopter di Lumut, Perak, terus dijaga sehingga mereka tamat persekolahan.
Zahid minta pihak dalam BN buka "buku baharu"
Ahmad Zahid menegaskan senario politik tanah air sudah berubah dan terdapat banyak video lama dari parti lawan yang meminta pengundi menyokong DAP.
Malaysia kongsi pengalaman dalam usaha berterusan mempertahan Palestin
Delegasi negara akan berkongsikan peranan Malaysia dalam usaha berterusan mempertahankan nasib Palestin dalam Persidangan Liga Parlimen Al-Quds kelima yang berlangsung di Istanbul, Turki pada Sabtu.
Universiti Malaya mohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia
Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik, Universiti Malaya memohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia berhubung kenytaaan tidak bertanggungjawab Profesor Dr Bruce Gilley pada 24 April lalu.
Genting Malaysia nafi terbabit perbincangan
Selepas Berjaya Corporation Bhd dan Kerajaan Negeri Johor, kini Genting Malaysia Bhd pula menafikan sebarang penglibatan dalam perbincangan mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City, Johor.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 27 April 2024.
Lima cedera dalam tembakan di luar kelab malam di Washington
Lima cedera dalam insiden tembakan di luar sebuah kelab malam di Washington, Amerika Syarikat pada lewat Jumaat.
Akhirnya wanita Saudi boleh jadi juruterbang
Syarikat penerbangan kos rendah Saudi, Flynas buat pertama kalinya bakal merekrut wanita untuk berkhidmat sebagai pembantu juruterbang dan atendan penerbangan.
Proses pra-pelepasan haji mula di tanah air, mudahkah urusan jemaah - TH
Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) akan memulakan proses Pra-Pelepasan Jemaah Haji di kesemua lapan stesen berlepas di tanah air.