KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — The requirement for prospective pilgrims to have a minimum savings balance of RM15,000 to accept a Haj offer is in line with recommendations by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to increase the basic registration fee and raise the automatic eligibility deposit to reflect current costs.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan said the requirement is part of the Seruan Istito'ah (Call to Ability) Haj Preparation Plan, aimed at fostering financial discipline and encouraging prospective pilgrims to prepare early for the pilgrimage.
“For everyone’s information, this decision is also among the recommendations of the RCI.
“Past experiences at Tabung Haji have shown that many prospective pilgrims were not sufficiently prepared, as more than 50 per cent of Haj offers were requested to be deferred,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 (Budget 2027) at the policy stage in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Zulkifli added that the high deferral rate had affected the efficiency of Haj queue management, as Tabung Haji had to issue replacement offers repeatedly within a short period.
“Since Tabung Haji introduced the RM15,000 minimum savings requirement for accepting a Haj, complemented by early reminders, the deferral rate has been reduced significantly to 18 per cent,” he said.
The previous minimum savings requirement of RM1,300, in place since 1995, was raised to ensure prospective pilgrims were financially prepared well in advance, in keeping with the principle of istito'ah, or the ability to perform the Haj.
However, several MPs said the new requirement could burden depositors, particularly those in rural areas, and urged the government to consider a more flexible mechanism to help them retain their places in the Haj queue.
In response, Zulkifli said existing depositors had until December 31, 2028, to reach the RM15,000 savings balance required to retain their places in the queue. Their savings would also remain eligible for Tabung Haji's annual profit distribution.
In another development, the government is fully funding the Social Security Organisation's (SOCSO) subscription of 40,000 religious personnel nationwide, including imams, bilals (muezzins), siaks (mosque caretakers), assistants, and religious instructors.
Tabung Haji has been appointed to manage the subscriptions, given its experience in administering social protection schemes for its depositors.
He noted that the government, through the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of 36,500 Quran and Fardu Ain (KAFA) teachers nationwide, including through phased increases in their allowances.
KAFA teachers currently receive a monthly allowance of RM1,100, while the government also contributes RM143 per teacher to the Employees Provident Fund and RM18 to SOCSO.
Zulkifli said the bonus for KAFA teachers will be increased to RM750 in 2027, from RM500 this year.
