BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Prices of Haj packages are expected to remain high in the near future as the Brunei government is still studying ways to bring down costs without compromising pilgrims’ safety.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin PDP Hj Awg Othman said the government is “not ready” to accept offers of low-priced Haj packages from authorised travel agents as they cannot ensure the well-being of worshippers.
During the Legislative Council (LegCo) sitting on Wednesday, he said an ad hoc committee was set up to study prices and find the best Haj packages, but there are factors beyond their control.
“What is important to know about Haj is we cannot control the prices of accommodation in Mekah, Madinah, [Mount] Arafat and Mina, but we can negotiate.
“We managed to reduce the prices, but [the amount] is not significant,” he added.
Haj package prices range from $16,000 to $25,000 in Brunei.
The minister said only Haj packages that offer accommodation within 500m from Masjid-al Haram in Mekah are approved. The Masjid al-Haram is the site of two of the most important rites of the Haj — circling the Kaaba and walking between mounts Safa and Marwa.
Transport to and fro hotels and religious sites further contributed to the high prices, he said.
Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin made the comments in response to LegCo member Hjh Safiah Sheikh Hj Abd Salam’s suggestion for the ministry to consider allowing Haj travel operators to expand and diversify the Haj packages.
She said the rising prices have affected “low- and middle-income groups” as they were forced to postpone or give up their wish to perform the Haj.
“There are people who expressed their disappointment to me, to the extent that they will never be able to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam obligation, even if it’s only once in their lifetime,” she added.
Haj is a mandatory duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the pilgrimage.
The minister further said the costs borne by the government are also high as healthcare workers travel with the pilgrims to ensure their well-being.
As the largest employer in Brunei, the government provides Haj subsidies worth $4,500 to all civil servants who have worked in the public sector for at least 12 years, regardless of previous Haj experience. Subsidies are also granted to converts.
The hike in Haj prices was also driven by global inflation and Saudi Arabia’s plans to overhaul its economy through Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase the number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims to 30 million through infrastructure upgrades and improvement in Haj services. The number of Haj pilgrims is currently capped at about 2.5 million.
Saudi also increased its value-added tax for most goods and services from 5 percent to 15 percent in 2020, further escalating the costs of performing Haj.
MoRA gets 5.7% budget hike
Unveiling MoRA’s budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year, Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin said $285.89 million has been allocated – a 5.7 percent rise from the previous year.
Emoluments make up the largest share of the budget with $234.92 million (82%), while $16.81 million will be spent on development projects. The remaining $34.15 million has been set aside for recurring expenses.
The ministry has earmarked $191 million for projects under the five-year 12th National Development Plan that will be launched later this year.
One of the projects include the construction of 12 new mosques valued at $64.3 million. The mosques will be located in Kg Meragang, Kg Rimba, Kg Mata-Mata, Kg Sinarubai, Kg Burong Lepas, Kg Tanah Jambu and Kg Lugu in Brunei-Muara, Telisai in Tutong, Kg Lumut and Kg Panaga in Belait, as well as Kg Batu Apoi and Kg Selapon in Temburong.
Some $23.9 million has been allocated for additional facilities at the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) campus on Jalan Tutong.
Another $20 million will be used to build a new campus for women at Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
Meanwhile, Temburong’s Kampung Senukoh Religious School will receive a $1.47 million building for its Islamic Religious Activity Centre.
Spelling out the priorities for MoRa in the upcoming fiscal year, the minister said a large part of the budget will go towards strengthening religious education.
He said $1 million will also be used to create an online platform for application of halal certification under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
New department created to improve zakat management
The ministry will also focus on improving the management of zakat (tithes), following the establishment of the Zakat, Waqf and Baitulmal Affairs Department last year.
“The collection and distribution of zakat harta (property tithes) and zakat fitrah (alms) will be more effective and efficient.
“This will reduce the burden on the needy and ease the government’s fiscal pressure,” he added.
The minister said is it hoped that the department will address zakat disbursement delays and outstanding zakat payment issues.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah previously raised concerns on poor zakat management, and called for zakat reforms to lift people out of poverty.
The payment of zakat is mandatory for all Muslims whose wealth meet the minimum threshold.
Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin said 13,428 financial aid applicants have been approved through the National Welfare System (SKN) from 2022 to 2023.
The disbursement of zakat to the poor, converts, Al-Gharimin (debtors) and amil (zakat collectors) grew from $24.2 million in 2022 to $25 million last year.