KUALA LUMPUR: Effective immediately, Tabung Haji (TH) will no longer manage Malaysian pilgrims on Furada (private) visas.
This follows a directive from the Saudi Arabian Haj and Umrah Ministry, the TH Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Division said in a statement, adding that the new regulation was for pilgrims from all countries.
“This year, the Haj and Umrah Ministry has decided to place pilgrims on Furada visas from all countries in a specific tented area, separate from those handled by their respective countries.
“This initiative was taken by the ministry so as to be able to better manage pilgrims on Furada visas,” the statement said.
Apart from allocating of 30,200 for Malaysian pilgrims, the Saudi Arabian embassy in Malaysia also provides Furada visas on a case by case basis.
“TH respects and will follow the rules and regulations set by the Haj and Umrah Ministry for the sake of the safety and comfort of pilgrims, whether those who are already there (under TH) or those on Furada visas.
“As part of the risk management plan set by the Saudi Arabian government, TH has also been required to provide a certain number of additional beds at all 18 buildings where Malaysian pilgrims are placed, in case any emergency or unforeseen incident should take place in the Holy Land,” the statement said.
TH also advised the public to be careful and not be easily influenced by any individual or agency offering Furada visa or haj packages not authorised by TH.
“The public should be careful so as to avoid cases of fraud which often happen during the haj season,” it said.
