KUALA NERUS: The Prime Minister-1Malaysia Development Bhd (PM-1MDB) Foundation Special Haj programme has benefited 5,711 people nationwide, which involved an allocation of more than RM56 million since 2011.
The programme committee chairman, Datuk Jailani Ngah, said the amount did not include subsidies provided by the government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had always been committed to continuing the programme even though it involved huge amount of money and constantly being criticised by various parties.
He said the total cost of haj this year was set at RM9,980 and a subsidy of RM9,570 was allocated to each pilgrim.
“This year, 1,100 recipients have been offered to join this programme and among the candidates are the imam, village development and security committee (JKKK) chairmen, personnel from pondok religious foundation, tahfiz (religious) teachers … there are also media practitioners and tok batin (Orang Asli chiefs),” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the presentation of the programme’s offer letters by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman here yesterday.
Based on the records, he said, a total of 111 people were selected for the programme in 2011 while in 2012 (400 people); 2013 (776); 2014 (984); 2015 (1,181) and 1,090 people last year.
At yesterday’s event, 87 recipients received their offer letters and were expected to depart via flights from Aug 9 – 11 to Madinah before proceeding to Makkah. — Bernama