Administering the haj

Question

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) what are the cost items Haj pilgrims have to pay apart from the cost of the package paid to the general sales agents (GSA); and (b) if he can provide a detailed breakdown of these cost items.

Response

1. Minister Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Haj packages are offered by General Sales Agents appointed by MUIS. The price of these haj packages varies depending on the length of stay, standard of accommodation and other related factors. MUIS does not regulate the price of these packages. Rather, its role as a regulator is to ensure that General Sales Agents carry out their legal obligations, as set out by the Administration of Muslim Law Act, and comply with the Saudi Haj Authority's regulations and standards.

2. MUIS collects an administrative fee of $256.80, inclusive of GST from each pilgrim. The fee helps to defray part of the costs of administering the Haj including the cost of maintaining the Haj Registration System, and sending a Haj Mission comprising doctors, nurses and Assistant Pilgrim Officers to provide medical and welfare services to our pilgrims. Other than this fee, MUIS relies on other revenue streams to help recover costs.