(Not reached within Question Time) MUSLIM PILGRIMAGE

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Acting minister for Social Affairs (a) if he will report on Muslim pilgrimage during the last three years giving details on (i) the number of pilgrims by sex and age group; (ii) the cost of return air fare and the gross total payment; (iii) the number of deaths for each year; (iv) the number of registered and unregistered pilgrim travel agents in Singapore; (v) the main problems encountered by the pilgrims; and (b) what measures will be taken to ensure that the pilgrimage service will continue to be improved in future years.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: A.(i) The number of pilgrims who performed the Haj between 1979 and 1980 by sex and age group

The figures which I will be providing the Honourable Member for Kampong Kembangan are in respect of Muslims whose pilgrimage was organised by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS).

The number of pilgrims who went on the Haj was 787 in 1979, 930 in 1980 and 968 in 1981. In 1979, 349 or 44.3% of the total number of pilgrims were males and 438 or 55.7% were females. 60 of the males were below 50 years of age and 289 were above 50 years. There were 177 females below 50 years and 261 above that age.

In 1980, 421 or 45.3% of the group were made up of males and 509 or 54.7% were females. The number of males below 50 years was 78 and the number above 50 years was 343. 213 females were below 50 years of age and 296 were above 50 years.

In 1981, 438 males or 45.2% and 530 females or 54.8% went on the Haj. There were 102 males below 50 years and 336 above 50 years of age. Females below 50 years numbered 208 and the number above 50 years was 322.

(ii) The cost of return air fare and the gross total payment

The cost of the return air fare on MUIS-arranged flights was $1,750 in 1979 and $1,930 in 1980. The pilgrims went on scheduled flights which involved two stop-overs in Bangkok and Amman in Jordan during the journey.

In 1981, in response to the pilgrims' suggestions for direct flights without stop-overs, MUIS negotiated with ALIA - The Royal Jordanian Airline - to fly the pilgrims direct to Jeddah and back. The majority of the pilgrims registered with MUIS went in two chartered flights. They each paid $2,250 for their return air fare. The remaining 191 pilgrims were insufficient to make up a third chartered flight and they went on the scheduled flight. They each paid $1,930 for their return air fare.

The gross total payment which each pilgrim incurred was:- $3,988 in 1979 $4,300 in 1980

In 1981, the gross payment for those pilgrims who went on the chartered flight was $4,650; and $4,330 for those who went on the scheduled flight.

(iii) The number of deaths for each year

There were 4 deaths in 1979; 14 in 1980 and 23 in 1981 among the pilgrims.

(iv) The number of registered and unregistered pilgrim travel agents in Singapore

During the period 1979 and 1981, the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board licensed two travel agents specifically to deal with pilgrims going on the Haj. These two travel agents were sponsored by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS).

However, there were travel agents licensed by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board who also sold airline tickets and made other arrangements for the pilgrims going on the Haj. These travel agents were not sponsored by MUIS and I regret that I am unable to say how many such travel agents there were.

(v) Main problems encountered by the pilgrims

The problems encountered by pilgrims in any Haj season are many and varied in nature. Some of these problems are unavoidable in view of the millions of pilgrims gathered in the holy cities in Saudi Arabia during Haj. However, wherever possible, MUIS will try its best to find solutions to problems affecting Singapore pilgrims which are within its capacity and capabilities to resolve. Problems like:-

(a) poor services rendered by some of the local "syehs" or pilgrim brokers there;

(b) overcrowding in some of the lodging houses;

(c) location of lodging houses vis-a-vis the Haram Mosque in Makkah and Nabawi Mosque

in Medina; and

(d) shortage of medical and nursing personnel, will be looked into by MUIS.

B. On accommodation, MUIS will be arranging with some "syehs" or pilgrim brokers in Makkah to accommodate future pilgrims travelling with MUIS in two lodging houses at the most, instead of in several as in the past. Each lodging house will have its medical team to look after the pilgrims. In addition to this, MUIS will also try to obtain a place for use as a medical centre for pilgrims during their short sojourn in Mina.

For the 1982 pilgrimage, MUIS hopes to recruit two doctors and six nursing officers to look after pilgrims. Additionally, two MUIS officials will also accompany the pilgrims to render general assistance to them during the Haj season.

Appendix III