Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=965185
Published: July 22, 2013
He said hence, Tabung Haji was always looking for opportunities to lease properties to accommodate Malaysian pilgrims in Mecca and Medina during the haj pilgrimage.
Tabung Haji signed long-term lease deals (up to 25 years) for two properties in Medina and another in Mecca in 2008 and 2009 respectively as well renting several buildings during the pilgrimage, he added.
"The properties acquired can also be used by umrah pilgrims during haj off-season," he said, adding that under the Saudi Arabian law, those who signed long-team lease deals were owners of the properties.
He said previously, Tabung Haji leased properties only during the haj season for the pilgrims.
Ismee said the long-term lease deals would not only ensure a pleasant stay for pilgrims, but also could reduce the cost of the Malaysian haj pilgrimage which was the lowest in Southeast Asia.
He said Tabung Haji strived to ensure Malaysian pilgrims could stay closer to Masjidil Haram in Mecca, but the hotel would cost more as it gets closer to the Grand Mosque.
"Tabung Haji investment department is always studying Saudi's legislation and regulations to find new opportunities for the benefit of pilgrims in years to come," he said.
Rapid development taking place in Mecca since 2007 has doubled accommodation cost in Mecca from what Tabung Haji used to pay in 2007 and 2008, he said, adding that however, rental of properties in Medina was quite stable.
He said in Medina, Malaysian pilgrims would be placed 150 meters from the Nabawi Mosque while in Mecca, they would stay between 600 metres and 950 meters from the Grand Mosque.
"We'll try to avoid pilgrims from staying more than one km away from Masjidil Haram.
"Despite massive development in Mecca with many hotels and buildings being demolished, we are still able to get haj accommodations within 950 meters from the Grand Mosque," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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