SEREMBAN: Lembaga Tabung Haji has identified the location site to build its very own haj pilgrim management complex each in Mecca, Medina and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Tabung Haji board member Professor Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said a memorandum of understanding will be forged between the haj pilgrim management board with the Saudi government in December paving the way for the construction of the three complexes.
"All this while, we have been renting the buildings, of which the lease is renewed every 10 years but this time around, we might be given the approval to lease for 99 years.
We are still discussing and God willing, if all the negotiations go through with the Saudi authorities in terms of pricing, the MOU will be signed in two months time," he told reporters here earlier today.
He had earlier visited the family of the late Baharom Mohd, 84, who died of a heart attack while performing the haj in Mecca on August 26.
Abdul Shukor said the Tabung Haji complex will enable the board cost savings and its pilgrim management will be smoother and more efficient.
This is important as Malaysia's pilgrim quota increased to 40,000 pilgrims this year compared to earlier quota allocation of 30,200 pilgrims making it more imperative for Tabung Haji to own and manage its own pilgrims in the kingdom.
Translated from Berita Harian
