logo
Enhanced Nusuk Card to safeguard Malaysian pilgrims from forgery as Haj journey begins, says religious affairs minister

Enhanced Nusuk Card to safeguard Malaysian pilgrims from forgery as Haj journey begins, says religious affairs minister

Malay Mail29-04-2025
SEPANG, April 29 — The enhanced Nusuk Card is now equipped with a quick response (QR) code to prevent forgery of the official identification card for haj pilgrims, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
He said the card now has several layers of security features to ensure the safety of its holders.
'This means that any attempt to duplicate it would be difficult as it comes with multiple enhanced security layers introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah,' he told reporters after attending the Send-off Ceremony for Malaysian Haj Pilgrims for the 1446H/2025M Haj Season here today.
Also present was Lembaga Tabung Haji chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain.
Mohd Na'im said the Nusuk Card, introduced three years ago as the official identification document for pilgrims, has helped ease the entry of haj pilgrims from across the globe into the Masjidil Haram in Makkah, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and other pilgrimage sites while performing the fifth pillar of Islam.
Earlier, Mohd Na'im reminded the 284 Malaysian pilgrims who departed for the Holy Land early this morning to safeguard their Nusuk Cards at all times, as the card contains personal data, including passport and visa information, enabling easy identification of the pilgrims.
'You must take good care of the Nusuk Card since it's similar to our MyKad. Remember my advice, treat it just like you would your MyKad,' he said.
On flight arrangements for the 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims for this haj season, Mohd Na'im said a total of 100 special chartered flights via AMAL by Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Saudia Airlines have been scheduled starting today, with the final flight set for June 1.
'The first group of Malaysian pilgrims is expected to arrive at the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah at 7.50 am (Saudi time) tomorrow,' he added.
Malaysia's official haj quota allocated by the Saudi Arabian government this year is 31,600 pilgrims, who will arrive in the Holy Land in stages. — Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Two little-known national parks in southwest England, southern France
Two little-known national parks in southwest England, southern France

Borneo Post

time9 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Two little-known national parks in southwest England, southern France

The wild moorland landscape of Exmoor. — Photo by Alan Rogers READERS may well ask: where I have been for the last two months? To be truthful, I have been spending my time in Exmoor National Park, southwest England and in the Camargue, a national park in Provence, southern France. Having visited these national parks many times before, my recent visits were even more interesting thanks to my Sarawakian friend who accompanied me. My eyes and mind were opened by my friend's inquisitive approach, asking pertinent questions on the landscapes, flora, fauna, and traditions of these two regions. It became apparent to me that what I have taken as granted in these regions needed detailed explanations for she did not settle for less and it made me realise that, although knowing Sabah pretty well and living in Sarawak for almost two and a half years, I relied on her knowledge for the recognition of flora and fauna there. The shoe now was on the other foot. These two national parks are as little known to urban dwellers in both England and France as indeed are the Malaysian national parks to Malaysia's urban folk. This week, I shall take you to explore my local Exmoor National Park, and my next column will be on the Camargue, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, in France. Exmoor National Park Exmoor covers 693 square kilometres, with 71 per cent of its land in the county of Somerset and 29 per cent in the neighbouring county of Devon. Located in coastal districts bordering the Bristol Channel and extending southwards inland, it is essentially an upland area with a dispersed population living in small villages and hamlets. Geologically this upland is made up of Devonian and early Carboniferous rocks comprising an admixture of gritstone, sandstone, slates, shales, limestone, siltstone, and mudstone moulded into a plateau-like pattern and bisected by deep cut steep sided river valleys. Although Exmoor escaped direct glaciation from the European ice masses of the Pleistocene glacial icesheets (about 1.4 million to 12,000 years ago) its northern edge was tickled by the very last ice sheet with a lobe of ice that extended from south Wales, south westwards along the Irish Sea to the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall. As Exmoor was located on the periphery of the ice sheets, it experienced periglacial (tundra-like) conditions with deeply frozen ground. When the permafrost thawed, vast volumes of meltwater were released creating very large powerful rivers, most of which flowed southwards excavating deep valleys. The rivers Barle and Exe are such rivers. The former is a tributary of the latter and is best viewed from the medieval stone bridge in the once market town of Dulverton. Both river valleys have been declared as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Exmoor, with its 55km of coastline facing the Bristol Channel, possesses the highest sea cliff in mainland Britain at Great Hangman measuring 250 metres in height. This national park's highest point is at Dunkery Beacon (519 metres). Climate Sited in the southwest of England, Exmoor experiences a wetter but milder climate than the rest of the UK with a lower temperature range than most of England as it is influenced by the sea. The rain is associated with the Atlantic's southwesterlies and westerly winds with heavy downpours on the higher moors. These upland areas with farms located in the valleys can be very bleak in winter with an annual average of 23 days of snow and six days in the coastal areas. Exmoor has an annual average of 1,019mm of rain per annum. With climate change in rapid progress, snowfall and rainfall are likely to be less and temperatures steadily rising. Flora and fauna Twenty-five per cent of the landscape is covered by heath and moorland with some moors displaying a wide variety of grasses and sedges while others are blanketed with heather (Erica). Many of the deep valleys, as opposed to the moorland tops, display a mixture of broadleaved oak, ash, hazel, and conifer trees. England's highest beech forest exists at 350 metres and the high hedgerows see beech trees growing up to 490 metres. Two species of whitebeam (Sorbus) are unique to Exmoor. Animals have shaped the landscape of Exmoor for very many centuries. Sheep have grazed this area for over 3,000 years feeding on moorland grasses and heather shoots. There are three breeds of sheep unique to Exmoor, distinguished by the length of their woollen fleece to keep them warm in wintertime. Wild Exmoor ponies roam these moorlands and are considered the closest breed to the feral horses remaining in Europe. These ponies are rounded up once a year for a veterinary check over. Sadly, nearly half the pony stock was killed because of military operations on the moors preparing for the D Day landings in Europe towards the end of World War 2. Red deer also roam freely on the moors, and I know of a particular valley where I can always see them graze on the hillside slopes. While protected from hunting since 2004, from huntsmen with stag hounds, many are accidentally killed by passing traffic. Wild red deer in Exmoor. — Photo by John Shortland / Wikimedia Commons To see a stag with his entourage is a sight to behold and to view two stags fighting each other with their antlers during the rutting season is quite a spectacle. Once black grouse and red grouse freely roamed this area but are no longer seen through a reduction in moorland heather management and an increase in tourist pressure. The specific avian species that can be seen are the peregrine falcon, merlin, curlew, stonechat, dipper, Dartford warbler, and ring ouzel. Steeped in history Nearly every village has a medieval church and often a Methodist or Baptist chapel with none more famous than the church at Oare frequently mentioned in RD Blackmore's book 'Lorna Doone; A Romance of Exmoor', written in the 19th century, and many older readers may remember from their schooldays. Today a bronze statue of Lorna Doone is seen outside this national park's headquarters in Dulverton. Neolithic man began to manage wild animals and plant crops besides clearing woodland in the valleys followed by early Bronze and Iron Age settlers. Bronze statue of RD Blackmore's legendary character, Lorna Doone, in Dulverton. — Photo by Alan Rogers Exmoor's earliest recorded mention was in the Doomsday Book of 1086 when it was declared as 'Exmoor Forest – a hunting place for the King'. During the Middle Ages and even much later, sheep rearing for the wool trade dominated the local economy. Wool was collected as spun wool from isolated farms by merchants to be auctioned at local markets such as in the very small town of Dunster. There the old yarn market still occupies a bold place with its traditional wooden slatted roof and the castle on a hillock in the background. Exmoor abounds in folklore, age old traditions and is quintessentially English and truly a real place to visit. My honest suggestions to Malaysian travellers to the UK is to forsake the sights of London and its excessive lodging costs, and stay in my neck of the woods where you can find much cheaper accommodation and moreover enjoy natural scenery relatively unchanged by man. I truly declare that I have no connections to the tourist industry. Camargue England Exmoor National Park France

AirAsia Launches Direct KL, Kuching–Pontianak Routes From Sept 12
AirAsia Launches Direct KL, Kuching–Pontianak Routes From Sept 12

Barnama

time20 hours ago

  • Barnama

AirAsia Launches Direct KL, Kuching–Pontianak Routes From Sept 12

BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- AirAsia Malaysia has launched two new direct routes connecting Kuala Lumpur and Kuching to Pontianak, the capital city of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, with AirAsia as the only airline operating international flights to the city starting Sept 12, 2025. In a statement, the company said the expansion follows AirAsia's rapid growth in Indonesia, including the recent launch of the Kuala Lumpur–Palembang route in July and the upcoming Kuala Lumpur–Semarang service in September. 'With the introduction of Pontianak, AirAsia Malaysia will operate to a total of 17 destinations in Indonesia through 223 weekly flights between the two countries, solidifying its position as the airline with the widest network serving Indonesia,' it said. The launch of these new routes strengthens regional connectivity and supports both governments' targets, including Malaysia's goal of attracting 4.3 million Indonesian tourists in 2025 and Sarawak's target of five million visitor arrivals by year-end. It also aims to contribute to Indonesia's national target of 16 million international arrivals, with Malaysia remaining one of its top source markets, it said. The new routes were unveiled during the Sarawak Travel Fair, organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board in Pontianak, and officially launched by West Kalimantan Governor Drs Ria Norsan. He said the new direct routes will not only facilitate easier access for travellers but also bolster trade, investment and tourism flows. 'West Kalimantan stands ready to welcome more Malaysian visitors while providing convenient access for Indonesians seeking business opportunities, leisure travel and medical services in Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur,' he said. Consulate of Malaysia in Pontianak, Consul Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim said the new connectivity marks a pivotal moment in fostering stronger bilateral ties between Malaysia and Indonesia, particularly West Kalimantan.

AirAsia launches KL, Kuching–Pontianak direct flights from Sept 12
AirAsia launches KL, Kuching–Pontianak direct flights from Sept 12

The Sun

time21 hours ago

  • The Sun

AirAsia launches KL, Kuching–Pontianak direct flights from Sept 12

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Malaysia has introduced two new direct routes linking Kuala Lumpur and Kuching to Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The flights, set to commence on September 12, 2025, will make AirAsia the sole airline operating international flights to the city. The expansion follows AirAsia's rapid growth in Indonesia, including recent launches of the Kuala Lumpur–Palembang route in July and the upcoming Kuala Lumpur–Semarang service in September. 'With the introduction of Pontianak, AirAsia Malaysia will operate to a total of 17 destinations in Indonesia through 223 weekly flights between the two countries, solidifying its position as the airline with the widest network serving Indonesia,' the company stated. These new routes aim to enhance regional connectivity and support tourism targets, including Malaysia's goal of attracting 4.3 million Indonesian tourists in 2025 and Sarawak's target of five million visitor arrivals by year-end. Additionally, the expansion aligns with Indonesia's national target of 16 million international arrivals, with Malaysia remaining a key source market. The routes were unveiled during the Sarawak Travel Fair in Pontianak, officially launched by West Kalimantan Governor Drs Ria Norsan. He highlighted the benefits of the new flights, stating, 'West Kalimantan stands ready to welcome more Malaysian visitors while providing convenient access for Indonesians seeking business opportunities, leisure travel and medical services in Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur.' Malaysia's Consul in Pontianak, Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim, emphasised the significance of the new connectivity in strengthening bilateral ties. 'With Visit Malaysia 2026 on the horizon, this expansion comes at the perfect moment to further boost tourism, foster cultural exchange and enhance regional ties between both nations,' he said. AirAsia Malaysia CEO Datuk Captain Fareh Mazputra noted the strong demand for travel between Malaysia and West Kalimantan as a key driver for the expansion. 'By launching flights from our main hub in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, we are providing greater convenience and flexibility for our guests while contributing to the tourism growth and economic development of both Malaysia and Indonesia,' he added. - Bernama

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