Stop Subsidising B40 Muslims for Hajj

OPINION | Stop Subsidising B40 Muslims for Hajj


2 Dec 2025 • 1:00 PM MYT


Fa Abdul
FA ABDUL is a former columnist of Malaysiakini & Free Malaysia Today (FMT)

Photo credit: Sinar Harian


Every year, without fail, Malaysians talk about the rising cost of living, rising cost of food, rising electricity bills… but when it comes to the rising cost of Hajj, suddenly silence. Suddenly, it’s “Demi Allah, saya reda.”


But this year, something interesting happened: 50% of Malaysians offered Hajj said “No, thank you.” Not because they don’t want to go. Not because they suddenly discovered religious nuance. Nope. Just one thing - money. Cold, hard, very missing money. And honestly? I don’t blame them.


According to Tabung Haji, the cost of Hajj is now RM33,300. If you’re B40, you only need to pay RM15,000 - the rest magically subsidised. Government bagi RM1,000 lagi sebagai bantuan.


M40? You cough out RM23,500. Rest is subsidised.


T20? You kaya, so bayar full price lah.


On paper, this looks “adil”, “memudahkan umat.” But in reality? It reveals how addicted we have become to the idea that Hajj must be done - no matter the cost, no matter the debt, no matter the reality of our own bank accounts.


"Kalau tak mampu, tak wajib"

Here’s the part many conveniently forget - in Islam, Hajj is only obligatory for those who are financially and physically able. It literally says: “Kalau tak mampu, tak wajib.” Simple. Clear. Not complicated.


But try telling Malaysians that - you’ll hear replies like: “Takpe, kita pinjam dulu. Janji sampai Mekah” or “Kalau tak pegi haji, nanti apa orang kata?”


Yes, because nothing screams "spiritual purification” quite like emptying your life savings to stand on Arafah.


We love to talk about niat, ikhlas, pahala, but the moment Tabung Haji announces subsidy figures, everyone turns into Olympic-level mathematicians trying to justify why it makes perfect sense to spend RM15,000 that they don’t have.


And let’s be honest, for many, Hajj stopped being a “once-in-a-lifetime obligation" to those who can afford it. It became a status symbol. A social badge. A spiritual VIP pass.


You know how some people show off their Datuk/Datin pangkat? Same energy - just swap with Haji/Hajjah.


Registering for Hajj with minimum savings


Let’s also talk about the obsession with “first come first serve.” Many young people are encouraged to put their names in the Hajj queue even if they do not have the minimum RM1300 savings in Tabung Haji. Think about that - these young people who are not even trained to save for the future, are being trained to do whatever it takes to take a trip to perform Hajj.

I bet they are advised: “Kalau tak register awal, nanti umur 90 baru dapat pergi.”


As if God is saying, “Sorry bruh, you didn't try hard enough.”


No one seem to care of the truth that if you can’t afford it, you’re not required to go. No sin. No hellfire. No divine penalty. Islam literally gives you a pass.


But for Malaysians, we don’t like passes. We like pressure.


We like turning religion into performance art. We like comparing who went Hajj, who went Umrah, who went berapa kali, siapa dapat lounge Al-Safa, siapa selfie depan Kaabah paling aesthetic…


Dear Tabung Haji, why?


And here’s the part that really makes me raise an eyebrow. Surely Tabung Haji knows Hajj is NOT obligatory for those who cannot afford it. It’s literally Religion 101. So why do we even have a special category for the B40?


Why are the poorest Malaysians being encouraged to “take the offer,” when they still have to cough up RM15,000?


Let’s be realistic. RM15,000 isn’t “sikit je.” That’s RM1,250 a month, for every month of the year.


For families with little to spare, that kind of money could cover groceries, medical bills, children’s needs - or simply serve as emergency funds so they don’t fall into deeper hardship.


So why push them? Why present Hajj like something the B40 should aim to squeeze themselves into, instead of honouring the principle that if you can’t afford it, it isn’t required?


It almost feels like somewhere along the way, Tabung Haji shifted roles - from a body that guides the ummah, to a body that gently nudges people into believing Hajj is some kind of national KPI.


Why make something not compulsory feel increasingly essential?


Why create tiers like it’s some spiritual version of Astro subscription - B40 package, M40 package, T20 premium?


Dear Government, you pun sama!


And here’s the irony that really hits the spot: Why is the government subsidising B40 and M40 Malaysians to perform Hajj when the same government has already classified them as struggling households - so much so that they’re given Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah of up to RM200 a month just to survive?


In other words, the government gives B40 RM200 a month to help buy basic groceries for their survival… but somehow expects them to come up with RM1,250 a month for a religious ritual that isn’t even obligatory?


Bruh, make it make sense please.


If religion says “no need if you can’t afford,” but the system says “takpe, kita try juga,” then someone, somewhere, is encouraging a mindset that contradicts the very foundation of the obligation.


And that’s the real problem - not that Malaysians can’t afford Hajj, but that they’re made to feel like they must.


Now… if only someone with actual balls would dare bring this up in Parliament…