
Safari wukuf to assist 80 ill Malaysian pilgrims to perform wukuf
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that eight special buses, with seats converted into beds, will be used to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims throughout the journey to Arafah.
'A total of 195 welfare and medical workers have been mobilised since midnight last night, to comfort and assist the pilgrims once they arrive at Arafah,' he told media personnel after witnessing the departure of the haj pilgrims to Arafah, here, today.
At the same time, Mohd Na'im said that 385 Sahabat Maktab, who are volunteers among the pilgrims from 11 maktabs, have also been mobilised to support and ensure the smooth execution of this year's Masya'ir operations.
'I would like to extend my deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all Lembaga Tabung Haji staff and Sahabat Maktab volunteers, for their unwavering commitment in safeguarding the welfare and safety of our pilgrims,' he said.
He also urged all Malaysians to pray for the smooth execution of the entire Masya'ir operation, and for the continued protection and success of all Malaysian pilgrims in performing their haj pilgrimage.
The Saudi Arabian government has announced that the Wukuf Day falls on Thursday, the 9th day of Zulhijjah (June 5), followed by the celebration of Aidiladha on Friday, June 6.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Covid-19 exposed our healthcare system's weakness, say doctors
PETALING JAYA: The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the country's healthcare services, says consultant paediatrician and child disability activist Datuk Dr Amar-Singh HSS. 'It is not that we did not know that our health services had been slowly decaying for decades, but we were not allowed to speak publicly about it and always 'today, you will have to manage with what you have'. 'During the height of the pandemic, we experienced desperate cries for help to find an ICU bed for their family members. The support for carers was weak, equipment and resources were limited even in non-pandemic times, stretched thin. 'Some doctors placed their children with grandparents and did not see them for months,' said Dr Amar at a launch of the book titled 'Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia' at Gerakbudaya here Sunday (July 27). The book is a compilation of essays on the Covid-19 crisis by all levels of society, edited by Bridget Welsh. Speaking further at the event, which was attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Dr Amar said that there must be better preparation for the next pandemic by placing greater emphasis on building our institutional services, especially health, education and social services. Fellow panellist Ampang Hospital paediatrician Dr Tan Hui Siu narrated how the medical officers and healthcare workers trudged through the pandemic and had to make do with what they had as frontliners. 'We were giving our best in caring, but also to provide compassionate care and treatment that soothes and comforts everyone. 'So there was a gap where we were actually preparing those guidelines and with some of the clinicians, but by the time they were implemented, it was inadequate,' said Dr Tan. She talked of how she struggled to cope with the deaths of patients younger than her and how her teams had to care for patients on their deathbeds alone due to the lockdown. Meanwhile, virologist and policy analyst Dr Lyana Khairuddin called for better education on the vaccine naysayers as well as more investments to be made into vaccine research and development. She labelled the frantic search for vaccines during the pandemic as the 'Vaccine Hunger Games'. 'The Hunger Games aside, there was also the fight to actually get a slot to be jabbed,' said Dr Lyana. She said that the pandemic revealed the need for more science education among Malaysians. 'There are still people saying 'I have survived the pandemic and I am not vaccinated and I am okay and healthy'. Then, there are those who say that 'my mother died because she got the vaccine',' said Lyana. She stressed that there must be more conversations on why vaccines were given during the pandemic and more critical thinking so that people do not fall easily for 'popular traditional cures' during the next pandemic.


New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Rakan KKM part of push to fix public healthcare, says minister
PETALING JAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has reaffirmed his determination to reform health financing, calling it a critical mission in his second term as the nation faces rising pressure on its public healthcare system. "This is my second bite of the cherry. I came back with a vengeance to get reform done — especially health financing. "We have studied the issues, we have run the numbers, and now, we must act," he said in his speech at the launch of the book "Crisis and Community: Covid 19 in Malaysia" here today. Dzulkefly said the country can no longer rely solely on annual budget increases, citing limited fiscal space and growing demands on public healthcare. He said there is a need for structural solutions that improve sustainability without compromising access or quality. Part of that broader reform agenda includes Rakan KKM, which he described as a "game-changer" to address talent attrition and generate revenue within the public system. The model allows specialists to offer paid elective services at selected public hospitals, with proceeds reinvested to upgrade facilities and expand capacity. "This isn't about jumping queues for emergency cases. It's about giving people an option for elective procedures while retaining top talent in the public sector." He also addressed concerns about fairness, emphasising that emergency and critical care services will remain fully subsidised and prioritised for all Malaysians. The programme, which provides "premium economy" services, will operate under the ownership of the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc), ensuring transparency and public accountability. He said a full media briefing on Rakan KKM is expected soon, where further details on implementation, pricing, and safeguards will be announced. Dzulkefly also urged all stakeholders to support meaningful reform and judge the initiative by its long-term impact on the nation's healthcare system.


New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Umrah agency's financial woes leave 42 Malaysian pilgrims stranded in Jeddah
KUALA LUMPUR: The failure of an umrah agency to purchase return flight tickets has left 42 Malaysian pilgrims stranded at a hotel in Jeddah after they were unable to fly home last night. As a result, the pilgrims have had to bear additional costs for accommodation, meals and transportation, believed to amount to several thousand ringgit. The group's umrah guide, Muhammad Abu Sufyan Mohd Mokhtar Rozaidi, said there had yet to be any positive development from the umrah agency managing the pilgrimage package. "Our return flight to Malaysia was scheduled for 10pm last night, but we could not board because there were no tickets. "We had to stay here (in Jeddah) with no assurance that we will be able to fly home tomorrow. "The person (representing the umrah agency) has not shown much effort to help, as promised, and I am still in contact with the chief executive officer (CEO) of the agency, but there has been no progress. "They simply informed us that the company's finances are unstable and this is worrying because most of the pilgrims are elderly, aged between 50 and 60. One of them is pregnant, and another requires dialysis treatment," he said. He also said that he was the only person from the agency present in Jeddah to manage the group. "I have previously served as a mutawif for this agency, but never experienced a case like this before. This is the first time something like this has happened. "Two days ago, the CEO said they were unable to purchase return tickets due to increased hotel costs. "They had promised to reschedule our return flight for either yesterday or today, but later informed us that they had no money to buy tickets and had to seek assistance from the Malaysian Consulate in Jeddah," he said. He added that officials from the Malaysian Embassy in Jeddah have also contacted and visited the stranded pilgrims. He also requested help from any party willing and able to assist them in returning to Malaysia as soon as possible. "I hope for some assistance from any parties that can help us get home soon," he said. Yesterday, Muhammad Abu Sufyan uploaded a video to social media highlighting the plight of the pilgrims stranded in Jeddah. He expressed hope that the video would be widely shared, prompting the relevant authorities to step in and resolve the matter.