KUCHING: A total of 142 pilgrims from Sarawak departed last night (May 9) to perform the Hajj pilgrimage for the 1446H/2025M season.
They left Kuching International Airport at 11:15 pm and transited through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), where they were scheduled to board flight MH8090 at 4:05 am early this morning.
The flight is expected to arrive in Madinah at 7:50 am Saudi time.
The Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, were present to send off the group.
In her speech, Tabung Haji (TH) Director for Sabah and Sarawak, Datuk Nurlaila Said, reminded the pilgrims to uphold discipline, comply with TH’s guidelines, and respect Saudi Arabia’s laws during their time there.
“Pilgrims must avoid any activity that violates the host country’s regulations.
“Pilgrims must refrain from activities that violate local laws, and should instead focus fully on their ibadah to attain a mabrur Hajj (accepted pilgrimage),” she said.
She also stressed the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and health, given the hot weather and large crowds from around the world.
Nurlaila further advised Malaysians to only use valid Hajj visas issued by Saudi authorities.
“Attempting to perform Hajj without a proper visa is a serious offence that could result in heavy fines, deportation and blacklisting,” she said.
She added that pilgrims should help raise awareness among relatives and friends to avoid suspicious Hajj packages.
For the record, Sarawak has a total of 817 pilgrims this year, comprising 331 men and 486 women.
Last night’s group was part of the 34th of 100 special chartered flights scheduled to transport 31,600 Malaysian pilgrims.
Nearly 7,000 have already arrived in Saudi Arabia.
The Sarawak pilgrims will join another 142 pilgrims from Kedah, bringing the total number on the KLIA-Madinah flight to 284.
