KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — Lembaga Tabung Haji spent RM3.87 million to provide 566 beds that ended up unused by Malaysians performing their Muslim pilgrimage, according to the Auditor-General’s report.

The First Series of the A-G’s Report 2015 released today stated that the overall management of the accommodation and transportation for Malaysian pilgrims to Mecca was good, and that a total of RM191.57 million budget was spent, a slight increase of the original RM160.98 million allocated.

“A total of 21,457 beds or 94.7 per cent were occupied from the 22,655 beds rented in the 10 pilgrims accommodation buildings.

Out of 21,457 beds, 20,492 were for the pilgrims and 965 were for Hajj officers and operational requirements. According to the Ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia, a total of 223 beds or 1 per cent of the original official quota of 22,320 could not be filled,” the report said.

“LTH also set up a buffer of 409 beds for the needs of managing muassasah pilgrims. Consequently, there were 566 unoccupied beds or 2.5 per cent at a cost of RM3.87 million,” it added.

The report also found that installation of tents for Malaysian pilgrims had only begun three days before the expected completion date.

“In addition, the conditions of the tents which were not properly assembled on Wukuf day might affect the comfort and safety of the pilgrims,” the report said, adding that LTH should closely monitor the works carried out by the third parties and identify improvement methods for the next Hajj season.