logo
Malaysia awaits Saudi decision on 10,000 extra Haj slots, answer expected by end of May

Malaysia awaits Saudi decision on 10,000 extra Haj slots, answer expected by end of May

Malay Mail13-05-2025
KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — The decision on whether Malaysia will get an additional quota of haj pilgrims from the Government of Saudi Arabia is expected to be known by the end of this month, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
He said, so far, he has yet to receive any response on the matter from Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfig Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
'We are not sure how many (additional quotas) we will get because it also depends on the policy that the Saudi Arabian Government will use this year.
'If the policy is tightened because they want to control the number of pilgrims entering the mosques, just like during the COVID-19 era, then the quota may be limited,' he told reporters when asked after launching the Management Restructuring of the Baitulmal Skills Institutions under the Kuala Lumpur Baitulmal Professional College, here today.
Prior to this, Tabung Haji announced that Malaysia had submitted an official application to Saudi Arabia to obtain an additional quota of 10,000 pilgrims.
For this year's haj season, the quota set for Malaysia is 31,600 pilgrims. — Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim meets with Chinese FM Wang Yi
Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim meets with Chinese FM Wang Yi

Malaysia Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Malaysia Sun

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim meets with Chinese FM Wang Yi

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Putrajaya, Malaysia, July 11, 2025. /Chinese Foreign Ministry Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Putrajaya. Chinese President Xi Jinping's successful visit to Malaysia this year marked a major event in the history of Malaysia-China relations, Anwar said, adding that Xi's deep concern for and reflections on the future of the world have earned the heartfelt respect of the Malaysian government and its people. The fruitful cooperation between Malaysia and China in various fields has benefited the people of both countries, Anwar said. In today's world, cooperation mechanisms such as BRICS are growing with remarkable momentum as countries pursue independence, autonomy and development, he said. China has played a leading role in this process, which Malaysia highly appreciates, Anwar noted. Under the joint guidance of the two countries' leaders, China-Malaysia relations have entered the best period in their history, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. China regards Malaysia as a sincere friend and stands ready to work with the Malaysian side to implement the important consensus reached between the two countries' leaders and to advance the building of a high-level, strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future in a steady and substantive manner, he added. He said China fully supports Malaysia's work as the rotating chair of ASEAN and in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs. As developing countries, emerging economies, and key representatives of the Global South, China and Malaysia should join hands to meet challenges and pursue revitalization and development together, Wang said. The United States' unilateral imposition of high tariffs is irresponsible and unpopular, Wang noted. He said China will always stand with the vast number of developing countries, remain committed to high-level opening-up, share the dividends of its super-sized market and work together to expand the pie of win-win cooperation. Source: CGTN

Sarawak group proposes voluntary DLP tests for SJKC pupils
Sarawak group proposes voluntary DLP tests for SJKC pupils

Free Malaysia Today

time4 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Sarawak group proposes voluntary DLP tests for SJKC pupils

An association representing Chinese primary schools said participation of pupils in the dual language programme would require formal approval from the federal education ministry. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Some Chinese primary schools (SJKC) in Sarawak are considering allowing pupils to voluntarily sit for the dual language programme assessment, despite their exclusion from the programme. Jonathan Chai, president of the Association of Aided Chinese Primary Schools in the Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian divisions, said the proposal is being considered as a way to assess pupils' academic performance in science and mathematics. However, Chai warned that the results might not offer a complete picture, The Borneo Post reported. 'Since SJKCs are not officially part of the dual language programme, any data gathered would mainly serve as an internal benchmark,' he told reporters after a visit to SJKC Chung Hua Batu 11 in Matang. He said SJKC pupils could potentially sit for the test voluntarily within their own schools for self-evaluation purposes. He emphasised that full participation in the DLP would require formal approval from the federal education ministry. 'For now, we continue to teach science and mathematics in Mandarin, which remains the most effective method for the majority of our students,' he said. Chai also pointed to a changing student population, noting that around 40% of SJKC pupils now come from non-Chinese backgrounds – prompting a reassessment of the current language policy. 'We are also paying close attention to the outcomes of DLP assessments in national primary schools,' he added. 'If those results indicate significant gains in student performance, it may influence our future direction,' he added. In May last year, state deputy education minister Annuar Rapaee said the DLP programme, currently implemented in national primary schools, will be extended to secondary schools across the state.

Acting ministers key to continuity, says Johari
Acting ministers key to continuity, says Johari

Free Malaysia Today

time4 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Acting ministers key to continuity, says Johari

Johari Ghani (left) was named the acting natural resources and environmental sustainability minister yesterday, while Amir Hamzah Azizan has taken on the duties and functions of the economy minister. PETALING JAYA : Appointing acting ministers to fill vacant Cabinet posts is crucial to ensure continuity, especially with the upcoming parliamentary meeting set to begin on July 21, said plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani. Johari, who has been tasked with temporarily overseeing the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry, said appointing acting ministers is also necessary to address pressing issues under the ministries' purview. 'When there's a vacancy, the prime minister appoints someone to take on the role temporarily,' he told reporters after officiating the Kuantan Umno division delegates meeting today. 'With Parliament about to sit, there will be questions that require answers. For example, the economy ministry needs to finalise the 13th Malaysia Plan, so someone has to be appointed to get the job done quickly. 'That's why an acting role is important to resolve critical matters within the next month or two.' Yesterday, chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the Cabinet had agreed that Johari will carry out the roles and functions of the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister effective immediately. This comes after PKR's Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stepped down as the minister in May. Last month, the Cabinet agreed for finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan to take on the duties and functions of the economy minister following Rafizi Ramli's resignation. Amir was also tasked with overhauling the 13MP, which will be tabled in Parliament on July 31. Rafizi and Nik Nazmi quit their Cabinet positions after failing to defend their posts of deputy president and vice-president, respectively, at PKR's party elections in May.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store