KUCHING: The Sarawak Umrah and Hajj Agency Organisation (Suha) is planning to submit a proposal to the government for umrah subsidies.

Suha chairman Ruzaiman Ghazalee said the proposal meant to address the rising costs involved in the arrangements for umrah, including the cost of flight tickets and accommodation, due to a backlog of umrah prospects from 2020 onwards, he added.

“The high-demand for hotels in Mecca and Medina has caused an increase in price of accommodation, which then increases the overall cost of umrah.

“This is expected to be starting next year.

“Therefore, I will propose umrah subsidies to be given by the government because currently, only haj pilgrims are eligible for subsidies,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Currently, the price ceiling has been set by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

“Insya Allah, for the benefit of all umrah prospects in Sarawak, we will sit down and discuss this matter with the government and related parties,” said Ruzaiman.

According to him, the ceiling price for umrah is currently set at RM6,990 per person.