PUTRAJAYA is taking steps to prevent any increase in flight costs for its Hajj pilgrims as global fuel prices fluctuate due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.
Fadillah revealed that the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) is currently negotiating with both domestic and international airlines in an effort to stabilise airfare costs ahead of the upcoming pilgrimage season.
The discussions aim to mitigate the potential impact of rising fuel prices and insurance costs triggered by instability in the Gulf region.
“This is not only about Hajj because when a crisis occurs, oil prices rise and insurance costs also increase. As a result, logistics costs including aircraft and maritime transport will go up,” he said.
“In addition, domestic flights will also increase. Travel between Sabah and Sarawak relies on aircraft, so there will certainly be additional aviation fuel surcharges for both domestic and international flights. These are preparations we must examine and determine how we will address them,” he added.
Fadillah made the remarks after attending the Sumbangsih Santunan Kasih Seindah Syawal programme at the Semariang state assemblyman’s service centre in Kuching on Saturday.
He said a final decision on the matter would be announced by Tabung Haji or the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, Dr Zulkifli Hassan, once negotiations with airlines are concluded.
The Deputy Prime Minister II, who also serves as Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation, noted that the government is closely monitoring developments as rising logistics costs could affect a wide range of sectors beyond pilgrimage travel.
He did not rule out the possibility that the cost of performing the Hajj could rise if the conflict in the Gulf region persists and disrupts global energy supply chains and logistics networks.
“That is why we hope — the Prime Minister has also been contacted by leaders at the Gulf level to act as a mediator in negotiations — so that the conflict in the Gulf can be resolved and at least if the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened, the logistics sector will be able to operate,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz, widely regarded as the world’s most important energy corridor, lies between Iran and Oman and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Stretching about 167 kilometres and narrowing to roughly 33 kilometres at its tightest point, the strait serves as the principal maritime route through which Gulf producers export large volumes of oil and gas to global markets.- March 14, 2026
