Kuala lumpur: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) will begin issuing haj offer letters to 31,600 prospective pilgrims for the 1448H/2027 haj season in stages from Sept 21. TH reminded selected prospective pilgrims to ensure that they have a minimum balance of RM15,000 in their accounts with the institution to qualify for the offer letters, besides being required to pass a medical examination.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, TH will begin organising Haj Basic Courses at more than 200 mosques nationwide from Sept 25 to help prospective pilgrims prepare in terms of knowledge before performing the pilgrimage. Prospective pilgrims are advised to update their personal information and check their haj turn through THiJARI or at the nearest TH branch.

TH stated that the early confirmation of the official quota of 31,600 pilgrims by the Saudi Arabian government would give prospective pilgrims ample opportunity to plan their financial and health preparations, as well as gain the necessary knowledge in line with the concept of istito'ah (ability). For the 1448H/2027 haj season, TH is maintaining the haj cost at RM33,300 per person for Muassah pilgrims for the fourth consecutive year, despite facing inflationary pressures, global economic uncertainties, and rising service costs in the Holy Land.

Additionally, TH is continuing the targeted Haj Financial Assistance (HAFIS), involving an allocation of about RM234 million for this season, bringing the cumulative amount borne by TH since HAFIS was introduced in 2001 to more than RM2.8 billion. For B40 pilgrims who receive government assistance such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), the haj payment is set at RM15,000 (45 per cent of the haj cost), after taking into account HAFIS of RM17,300 and special government assistance of RM1,000 per person.

M40 prospective pilgrims will be required to pay RM23,500, with HAFIS assistance of RM9,800 (29 per cent), while T20 pilgrims with an individual monthly income of at least RM15,000 will have to pay the full haj cost of RM33,300 per person. TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain highlighted that the success in maintaining the cost structure and providing HAFIS was achieved through efficient governance, early planning, strategic negotiations, and the signing of long-term contracts with service providers.

He noted that TH's ability to maintain the cost structure, provide HAFIS, and improve the quality of its services was driven by the institution's increasingly stronger financial position. This position was achieved through disciplined financial management, enhanced risk management, and continuous improvements in governance practices. On the official quota, Abdul Rashid mentioned that the early confirmation provided prospective pilgrims with ample opportunity to plan their financial and health preparations and gain the necessary knowledge in line with the concept of istito'ah.

Meanwhile, TH Group managing director and chief executive officer Mustakim Mohamad stated that almost 90 per cent of the haj cost was related to accommodation, flights, and services in the Holy Land. He added that TH succeeded in maintaining the haj cost by containing increases in flight costs through five-year long-term contracts to manage the risk of price fluctuations in the interest of pilgrims. The major challenge now is the increase in oil prices and supply costs following the conflict in the Middle East.

Mustakim noted that TH had also managed to reduce the rental costs of new, higher-quality hotels through direct negotiations, thereby containing the impact of rising inflation and the costs of new services or facilities in the Holy Land. This achievement is important for TH because it is not merely about maintaining the figures, but about how they plan ahead, manage risks, and leverage TH's operational efficiency to provide the best value to pilgrims.