Friday, September 8, 2017

Tabung Haji (TH) is in talks with a Saudi Arabian government-linked company (GLC) over the proposed construction of the Tabung Haji Complex in Mecca and Medina in the near future.

TH group managing director and chief executive Johan Abdullah said the GLC concerned had a good track record and was able to meet the requirements of TH.

"We do not need five or six-star accommodation buildings. Three-star is enough to accommodate 35,000 to 40,000 Malaysian pilgrims during the haj season," he told reporters at TH headquarters in Abraj Janadriyah Hotel in Mecca.

Also present was head of the Malaysian haj delegation Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman.

Johan said the proposed site for the construction of the complex in Makkah was about 500m from the Grand Mosque while in Medina, about 150m from the Nabawi Mosque.

Johan said the proposed construction of the two complexes was a positive measure and could provide good returns to TH in the long run.

"Whether we like it or not, every year we have to manage pilgrims to the Holy Land, and the costs increase each year. Based on that, it is very practical for TH to have an accommodation complex just like the 'Malaysian Village' in Mecca and Medina to deal with the increasing pilgrimage costs," he said.

He said the complexes would also be used outside the haj season.

The proposal for the construction of the complexes was voiced by Prime Minister Najib Razak to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud during the latter’s official visit to Malaysia in February.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/13955/