"PREVIOUSLY, SABAH WAS GIVEN THREE DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM KOTA KINABALU TO JEDDAH. BUT IN RECENT YEARS, WE ONLY RECEIVED TWO FLIGHTS WHICH ALSO TAKE PILGRIMS FROM THE OTHER STATES,"

Sabah seeks higher Haj quota

Semporna Jan 15, 2012: Minister in the Sabah Chief Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nasir Tun Sakaran hopes the Federal Government could increase the haj quota for Sabah Muslims this year.

He said the haj quota for the people of Sabah last year was about 1,200 and he hoped that it would increase to 2,000 this year.

"We have received many appeals from the people of Sabah to increase the haj quota. They want the state government to apply for the quota from the Federal Government, especially the Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji).

"We have submitted the application of appeal. And hope this year more candidates from Sabah can perform the pilgrimage. More than 3,000 people in Sabah were waiting for their turn with some of them already aged,"

he said.

Nasir, who is also the minister responsible for Islamic affairs in Sabah, said this to the reporters after officiating the brotherhood Hujjaj assembly of 2011 pilgrims organised by Tabung Haji here, today.

"Previously, Sabah was given three direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to Jeddah.

But in recent years, we only received two flights which also take pilgrims from the other states," he said.

Therefore, Nasir, who is also the Assemblyman for Senallang, hoped the three direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to Jeddah previously would be resumed.