Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has appointed 37 local travel companies to act as hajj pilgrimage operators (PJH) for next year’s (2025/1446 hijrah) hajj season, which includes its subsidiary Tabung Haji Travel & Services Sdn Bhd (THTS).
An additional 12 new companies received the appointment, compared to the last hajj season, involving Titim Travel Sdn Bhd, Alam Shah Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, Az Safir Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd and others.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the increase in the number of PJH reflects TH’s commitment in providing opportunities to local travel companies that have met the qualifications and criteria to manage the country’s Hajj pilgrims.
He said Tabung Haji is very open to granting PJH licenses to any travel company that applies and meets the qualifications and passes TH’s assessment.
“Based on the selection, evaluation, and review process carried out, I am confident that the selected PJH companies have strong capacity, expertise, and sufficient experience, as well as being committed to providing the best service and ensuring the welfare of Malaysian Hajj pilgrims,” he said, during the PJH handover ceremony at Dorsett hotel, Putrajaya on Thursday (Nov 21).
The Hajj offer letters will soon be issued to 31,600 prospective pilgrims for the 1446 hijrah/2025 season and selected pilgrims must ensure sufficient Hajj payments and pass their health checks before accepting the offer.
“Any travel company interested in managing the Hajj pilgrims may apply for a license through the Hajj Agency System, which is available on the TH website,” he said.
He warned that companies should not engage with fraudulent individuals or agencies that claim they have a letter of support from the minister to obtain the PJH license.
Na’im also urged that all PJH offer economic Hajj packages valued under RM55,000 as part of an initiative to help more prospective pilgrims perform the Hajj at affordable prices.
He said the government will also continue to monitor and address issues related to fraudulent Hajj and Umrah packages, while cautioning the public to ensure that the selected Hajj packages are from companies licensed by TH.
He said prospective Hajj pilgrims should be aware of the strict regulations enforced by the Saudi Arabian government, particularly the prohibition of performing Hajj without a valid permit.
“Pilgrims who are found to be violating the rules and do not have a valid permit to perform Hajj can be fined SR10,000.
“This rule applies to all individuals, not excluding Saudi Arabian citizens themselves.
“For foreigners who are arrested for violating the Hajj rules, they will be expelled from Saudi Arabia and prohibited from entering Saudi Arabia for a certain period.
“I expect the Saudi Arabia government will continue to tighten these rules in the coming Hajj seasons to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims,” he said.
Na’im added that to facilitate Hajj operations, TH has also launched the Hajj Agency System, a digital system designed to simplify the application, evaluation, and monitoring of services provided by PJH.
“Through this digital initiative, we believe that the system will provide ease of management for TH and PJH companies to access information to ensure transparency in operations,” he said.
The following is the list of appointed PJH:
1. AL BALAD TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
2. ALAM SHAH TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
3. ALIF TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
4. AMANI TRAVEL SDN BHD
5. ANDALUSIA TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
6. AZ SAFIR TRAVEL AND TOURS SDN BHD
7. AZ ZUHA GROUP TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
8. BATUTA TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
9. BUSYRA HOLIDAYS SDN BHD
10. CITRA TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
11. CS HOLIDAYS SDN BHD
12. EIMAN TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
13. FELDA TRAVEL SDN BHD
14. GEMILANG TRAVEL AND TOURS SDN BHD
15. GLOCAL TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
16. HARMONY EXCELLENCE HOLIDAYS SDN BHD
17. IN SAFF TRAVEL AND TOURS SDN BHD
18. JAD TRAVEL & TOURS (M) SDN BHD
19. JAY IBRAHIM TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
20. JUARA TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
21. KAWAN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SDN BHD
22. KEMBARA UMRAH SDN BHD
23. KRS TRAVEL SDN BHD
24. MAHABBATEN TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
25. MIMM TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
26. MKM TICKETING TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
27. RAYHAR TRAVELS SDN BHD
28. SAMRAH TRAVEL SDN BHD
29. SYARIKAT PELANCUNGAN YASKIN SDN BHD
30. TH TRAVEL & SERVICES SDN BHD
31. TIARA MASS TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
32. TITIM TRAVEL SDN BHD
33. TM TOURS & TRAVEL SDN BHD
34. TRI-D TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
35. UTAS TRAVEL & TOURS WORLDWIDE HOLIDAYS SDN BHD
36. WIRA SAUJANA TRAVELS & TOURS SDN BHD
37. ZAHAFIZ TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
Source: The Star