PARLIAMENT | Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali has agreed to bring the hajj quota issue involving 1,200 individuals who received the offer letters to perform the pilgrimage under Special Hajj Programme to the attention of the cabinet.

The minister’s agreement came after Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling), the former Tabung Haji chairperson, gave his assurance that the pilgrims will pay the cost of their pilgrimage themselves.

“If based on the assurance given by Baling MP that their pilgrimage will not be sponsored by other entities, including Umno, and that they (pilgrims) are actually capable of going to Mecca using their own savings, then I’m prepared to bring the appeal to the relevant authorities for consideration.”

Azmin said this in the winding-up debate on the royal decree in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Earlier, Azeez interjected the minister’s speech and appealed that the 1MDB haj quota issue be taken to the cabinet for consideration.

 “I beg the minister to bring the matter to the attention of the cabinet. Give them (pilgrims) the opportunity to perform the hajj if they and their families are capable of paying for the costs,” he said.

Last Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa said that the Special Hajj Programme would not continue this year, due to the fact that the state investment firm is under investigation.

- Bernama