KUALA LUMPUR – The 2025 haj payment rate for B40 and M40 pilgrims will see a 20% increase compared to last year due to financial assistance reduction.
Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) group managing director and chief executive officer Syed Hamadah Syed Othman said the increase stemmed from a reduction in financial assistance from TH to prioritise depositors’ interests and ensure the sustainability of TH’s financial position.
The haj payment rate for a first-time muassasah pilgrim from the B40 group is set at RM15,000, while the rate for the M40 group is RM23,500. The full payment for the T20 group remains at RM33,300.
“TH has gradually reduced the Haj Financial Assistance rate since 2022 to align with the concept of affordability in performing haj and to support TH’s financial sustainability for the benefit of depositors.
“This decision aligns with the resolution of the National Haj Muzakarah, which emphasises that pilgrims are responsible for covering the actual expenses of performing the haj, in accordance with the concept of “istito’ah”, where haj is obligatory for Muslims who can afford it,” he said during a press conference on the 2025 Haj Costs, Payments, and Financial Assistance announcement at Menara Tabung Haji, Jalan Tun Razak, today.
For first-time B40 pilgrims, financial assistance is set at RM18,300 per person, which includes RM1,000 from the government, bringing their payment to RM15,000 each.
Meanwhile, for M40 pilgrims, assistance is set at RM9,800 per person, or 29% of the total haj cost of RM33,300.
For T20 pilgrims, the total haj cost remains unchanged at RM33,300, the same as last year.
Syed Hamadah also noted that TH consistently strives to ensure that the total haj cost does not experience drastic increases, although such decisions are beyond TH’s control.
More than 80% of the total haj cost is influenced by factors outside TH’s control, such as airfare and accommodation costs for pilgrims.
“Accommodation, airfare, and service charges in the Holy Land account for 87% of the total cost, which is beyond TH’s control.
“However, TH has secured agreements with hotel operators for the coming years to ensure accommodation prices remain manageable.
“TH is also working to secure long-term flight contracts despite rising fuel prices,” he explained.
TH will begin issuing haj offer letters to 31,600 prospective pilgrims for the 1446H/2025 season starting today. – December 16, 2024