KOTA BARU, Aug 12 — Tabung Haji has never given special treatment to anyone to jump the queue for the Haj, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said Tabung Haji was working with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in order to be transparent in processing the selection process according to the queue.
"There is no quota for ministers, deputy ministers or anyone else because Tabung Haji also ensures the process is transparent and it is monitored by the MACC.
"So there is no such issue as played up in the social media as if there is preferential or special treatment given to certain parties," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after attending a farewell ceremony given to Haj pilgrims at the Kompleks Islam Jubli Perak, Panji, here today.
The event, which was officiated by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, was also attended by Tabung Haji Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and board member Tan Sri Shukry Mohd Salleh.
At the event, 150 pilgrims began their journey from the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Pengkalan Chepa, at 12.05am to go to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and on to Madinah.
This year's Haj season will see 1,600 pilgrims from Kelantan performing their pilgrimage.
Asyraf Wajdi also said 76,000 appeals were submitted to Tabung Haji for the Haj season this year, but there were only 3,695 vacancies.
"The vacancies were due to some people who could not perform the Haj this year due to various factors. There has never been a case of people who were selected to go for the Haj but whose place was taken away," he said.
On the increase in visa charge for individuals wanting to perform their subsequent umrah or Haj pilgrimages as reported by the Saudi Arabian media, Asyraf Wajdi said there has been no official notification from the Saudi government or the embassy in Malaysia. — Bernama
