MECCA: Tabung Haji (TH) is in talks with a Saudi government-linked company (GLC) to build its proposed TH Complexes in the Holy Land.
TH managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Johan Abdullah said the Saudi company has a good track record and is capable of meeting the pilgrims fund’s requirements.
“We don’t need a five- or six-star accommodation. Three-stars will do, with a capacity of 35,000 to 40,000 pilgrims during haj season,” he told Malaysian media here on Wednesday night.
Johan said the proposed site in Mecca is less than 500m from the Grand Mosque (Masjidil Haram) while in Madinah, it is 150m from the Prophet’s Mosque.
“I anticipate it will be a major investment, so it’s also important that we consider how to sustain occupancy of the properties during the off (haj) season – for example by targeting umrah travellers,” he added.
Johan said TH decided to look at long-term accommodations for Malaysian pilgrims to better manage costs, which are increasing every year.
“For the long-term, it is very practical to have our own complex, like a Malaysian Village, in Mecca and Madinah,” he said.
Malaysian pilgrims have been paying RM9,980 each to perform haj for the last 10 years, although the actual cost has risen every year to RM19,550 in 2017 (RM18,890 in 2016). TH’s subsidy every year is more than RM200 million.
