Kuala lumpur: The Pilgrims' Fund Board or Tabung Haji (TH) today clarified that the report citing a 50 per cent rejection in haj offers refers to data from the 1446H/2025M haj season, not the upcoming season.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, TH stated that an analysis of offer rejections during the 1446H/2025M season found that the main reason was due to insufficient savings among prospective pilgrims. To address this issue for the upcoming 1447H/2026M hajj season, TH has intensified periodic reminders since last August. These reminders aim to ensure that prospective pilgrims make comprehensive preparations in terms of finances, health, and knowledge.

The Pilgrims' Fund Board has taken proactive measures as part of its brand rejuvenation initiative, which have shown positive results. "The haj offer rejection rate for the 1447H/2026M season is lower than in previous years as a result of early reminders and ongoing savings campaigns," read the statement from TH.

TH emphasized that every prospective pilgrim must have a minimum savings of RM15,000 in their TH account to qualify them to receive a haj offer or submit an appeal. The board also noted that haj offers for the 1447H/2026M season are currently being issued in stages. It encouraged prospective pilgrims to save consistently and maintain their health to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.

Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, was reported to have said that haj offer rejections during the last season reached 50 per cent, with financial constraints being the main cause.