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The Malaysian government is undertaking a review of the Hajj pilgrimage rotation system to enhance its structure, ensuring it is more systematic, fair, and prioritizes depositors who prepare early. This initiative comes as the number of Hajj applicants has surged past four million, significantly exceeding Malaysia's annual quota of approximately 31,600 pilgrims.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Marhamah Rosli, stated that this review is crucial given the long waiting periods, especially for new registrants. The proposed improvements aim to reduce the need for repeated replacement offers, which often arise when prospective pilgrims defer their journey due to financial reasons.

Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), the Malaysian Hajj fund and management corporation, is committed to elevating the quality of services, welfare, and safety for pilgrims. The aspiration is to position Malaysia as a global leader in Hajj management and services. This commitment is being demonstrated by maintaining the Hajj cost at RM33,300 per pilgrim for the third consecutive year, despite rising operational and flight expenses in Saudi Arabia.

TH is also making immediate adjustments in response to Saudi Arabia's stricter health and safety requirements for pilgrims. These measures are intended to ensure that the welfare and health protection for Malaysian pilgrims remain at an optimal level. The Deputy Minister was responding to a question in the Dewan Rakyat regarding improvements to the Hajj rotation system by 2027, including aspects of cost, waiting times, and pilgrim welfare.