Just over 80% of registered Tabung Haji depositors have less than RM15,000 in savings, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

KUALA LUMPUR — Approximately 3.3 million of the 4.1 million registered depositors with Tabung Haji, the national haj fund, hold savings of less than RM15,000, a threshold they must meet by December 31, 2028, to retain their allocated haj turn, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat.

The minister emphasized that the current savings levels reflect a broader pattern of inadequate preparation among pilgrims, a trend that has historically placed strain on the fund’s administrative and logistical planning.

In a written parliamentary reply delivered on Thursday, October 8, Dr Zulkifli addressed a query from Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan, the Member of Parliament for Merbok and a member of the Perikatan Nasional coalition. The MP had sought clarification on the rationale behind the new savings requirement and the specific number of existing depositors who would be affected by the policy change.

Dr Zulkifli’s response provided a detailed breakdown of the fund’s strategy, linking the financial benchmark to the broader "Seruan Istito'ah" initiative, which aims to foster a culture of early and disciplined financial planning among pilgrims.

The minister explained that the RM15,000 minimum savings condition is aligned with the rate applied to B40 pilgrims, the lowest income group in Malaysia. This benchmark is set against the actual cost of the haj, which stands at RM33,300.

By establishing this specific threshold, Tabung Haji is creating a clear indicator of a depositor’s readiness for "financial istito'ah," a new component of the haj preparation plan designed to ensure that pilgrims are financially secure before they embark on the journey. The initiative seeks to shift the paradigm from last-minute scrambling to a structured, long-term savings approach.

Dr Zulkifli noted that Tabung Haji’s historical data indicates that many prospective pilgrims have not prepared adequately for the financial demands of the pilgrimage. This lack of preparation has led to a high volume of requests to defer haj offers, a situation that complicates the fund’s ability to manage its allocations efficiently.

The minister highlighted that when Tabung Haji first introduced the RM15,000 savings condition and began issuing early reminders to prospective pilgrims up to two years in advance, the deferment rate dropped sharply to 18%. This statistic serves as evidence that early financial guidance and clear benchmarks can significantly improve the efficiency of the haj allocation process.

The fund has reaffirmed its commitment to the "first come, first served" principle in managing haj offers. Dr Zulkifli stated that registered depositors are being given a grace period of more than two years, extending until December 31, 2028, to increase their savings and secure their haj turn. This timeline is intended to provide sufficient time for depositors to bridge the gap between their current savings and the required RM15,000 threshold.

The minister’s comments suggest that the fund is prioritizing transparency and early communication to manage expectations and encourage proactive financial behavior among its members.

The parliamentary exchange highlights the intersection of religious obligation and financial planning in Malaysia’s public policy framework. By setting a clear financial benchmark and providing a defined timeline, Tabung Haji is attempting to standardize the preparation process for millions of pilgrims. The focus on the B40 group and the specific cost of RM33,300 for the haj underscores the economic reality that the pilgrimage is a significant financial undertaking for many Malaysian families.

The minister’s reference to the reduced deferment rate suggests that the fund believes that early intervention and clear guidelines are effective tools in managing the logistical challenges of the haj.

While the reply provided detailed insights into the rationale and the current state of depositor savings, it did not specify the consequences for depositors who fail to meet the RM15,000 threshold by the December 31, 2028, deadline.

The absence of this detail leaves a key aspect of the policy ambiguous, though the emphasis on the "first come, first served" principle and the long lead time suggests that the fund is aiming to minimize disruptions to the allocation process. The minister’s response serves as a formal record of the fund’s strategy, providing clarity to both the parliament and the public on the financial expectations placed on prospective pilgrims in the coming years.

Related: Tabung Haji · Dewan Rakyat · Dr Zulkifli Hasan · Kuala Lumpur