Alor setar: Haj arrangements for Malaysian pilgrims have so far proceeded smoothly, with flight operations to the Holy Land now in the active phase involving about 100 flights in total, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli said. She stated that Malaysian pilgrims had begun departing in stages to Madinah, with an average of three to four flights daily, while those who had arrived were actively making early preparations for the haj pilgrimage.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Marhamah advised prospective pilgrims to take care of their health before departure due to the different weather conditions and crowd density in the Holy Land. She conveyed this message to reporters after officiating the northern zone-level Social Issues Awareness Roadshow (J-KIS) at Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Marhamah also expressed her appreciation to Lembaga Tabung Haji for continuously improving its facilities to ensure the comfort and welfare of Malaysian pilgrims. On the J-KIS programme, she mentioned its aim to raise awareness of social issues and mental health among university students, equipping them with skills to manage emotions, conflicts, and life challenges.

She further explained that the J-KIS initiative would be expanded to other zones, including the south and east coast, to foster a generation that is intellectually and emotionally balanced and capable of becoming future leaders. Marhamah highlighted that J-KIS is a continuation of a national initiative launched in 2025 and is being expanded to higher education institutions to reach students more effectively.

The programme featured various slots addressing realities faced by students today, including mental health issues, risky behavior, substance abuse, identity formation, digital literacy, and social media ethics. Almost 600 students from various institutions participated in the event.