KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — The implementation of the Haj Preparation Plan, or Seruan Istito’ah, which replaces the previous haj waiting-list management process, has the potential to cut the waiting period by more than half to under 70 years, compared with about 150 years previously.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs)  Zulkifli Hasan said the current estimated waiting period provided by the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) could, however, change.

He said this would depend, among other factors, on the number of depositors who meet the stipulated minimum savings requirement, Malaysia’s official haj quota in the future, and current developments, particularly in the Holy Land.

“Beginning Jan 1, 2029, the haj waiting list will be systematically and automatically reorganised based on registration dates among those who have reached the minimum savings threshold of RM15,000.

“For those who have registered but have yet to reach the minimum amount, their places will be included in the active haj waiting list once they meet the savings readiness requirement,” he said in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat published on Parliament’s website today.

He was responding to a question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) on the actual waiting period for depositors who have reached the minimum savings threshold of RM15,000 to perform the haj, as well as the status of long-registered depositors whose savings remain insufficient.

Zulkifli said registered haj depositors would be given a transition period of more than two years, until Dec 31, 2028, to meet the minimum savings target of RM15,000. — Bernama