1MDB-SPONSORED HAJ TRIP FOR 111 IMAMS, VILLAGE CHIEFS

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- The government Monday offered Haj trips
sponsored by 1Malaysia Development Berhad to 111 imams and chairmen of village
development and security committees in appreciation of their role and
contribution to society.

Prime Minister Najib Razak handed over the offer letters at his official
residence, Seri Perdana, here. Also present at the event were Melaka state Chief
Minister Mohd Ali Rustam and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh
Omar.

"It has been in my mind, since taking over as the prime minister, to do the
best within the government's means for the welfare of imams and village chiefs,"
he said.

The 1MDB programme will benefit 57 imams and 54 chairmen of village
development and security committees.

Najib said the selected people had never performed the Haj, and added that
the date for their trip to the Holy Land this year would be made known soon.

The prime minister said the 1MDB programme would be an annual affair where
imams, village chiefs and other eligible people would be considered for the Haj
trip.

He also said that the government had helped these groups previously by
raising their monthly allowances, from RM450 (US$150) to RM750 (US$250) for
imams and from RM450 (US$150) to RM800 (US$266.66) for the chairmen of the
village development and security committees.