Tabung Haji RM15,000 minimum savings: automatic haj queue and the 31 Dec 2028 deadline

Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has introduced Seruan Istito'ah, a haj preparation plan that gives an automatic haj queue place to depositors with savings of at least RM15,000. Depositors who have already registered for haj have until 31 Dec 2028 to reach that amount. This guide explains what the rule means for each group of depositors, based on TH's official page and FAQ.

What is changing

• Automatic haj queue eligibility: you get a haj queue place as soon as your TH savings reach RM15,000, with no manual registration.
• Manual registration stops: according to TH, haj registration at TH counters, strategic partner banks, THiJARI and the EPF haj registration scheme is replaced by this automatic system.
• Two funds in one account: every TH account now has a Tabung Am (general fund) and a Tabung Istito'ah. The account number does not change.
• From 1 Jan 2029: the haj queue is reordered according to compliance with the RM15,000 minimum savings rule.

According to TH, the "first come, first served" principle stays, based on the date and time of registration, subject to the savings rule. RM15,000 was chosen because it is the current basic haj fee for the B40 group.

What it means for each group of depositors

According to TH, from 1 Jan 2029, depositors who keep RM15,000 may get an earlier place, replacing depositors who did not reach the amount by 31 Dec 2028. You can check your status through THiJARI.

Tabung Am and Tabung Istito'ah

• Tabung Am: for everyday savings and withdrawals as before. A balance of at least RM5 must be kept.
• Tabung Istito'ah: savings go into this fund only by transfer from the Tabung Am, at a TH counter or through THiJARI.
• Transfers out: a transfer from the Tabung Istito'ah to the Tabung Am takes T+10 days, counted in calendar days including holidays.
• No charge for transfers between the two funds, and the zakat calculation stays the same.

If a withdrawal brings your Tabung Istito'ah balance below RM14,995, you lose your haj queue eligibility. Such a request can be made only at a TH counter. Depositors who do not want an automatic queue place can apply to opt out at a counter, and opt back in later.

Why the rule was introduced

According to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, the rule follows a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) recommendation. The RCI recommended raising the basic registration payment in line with current costs. The previous minimum savings requirement was RM1,300, in place since 1995 (Bernama, 26 Oct 2026).

According to the Minister, more than 50 per cent of haj offers used to be deferred. The rate fell to 18 per cent after the RM15,000 rule was introduced. The minimum savings still qualify for TH's annual profit distribution.

In a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat, the Minister said the plan could shorten the waiting time to under 70 years, compared with about 150 years. The estimate may change depending on depositor compliance, official haj quotas and developments in the Holy Land (Bernama, 20 Oct 2026).

How to add savings and check your place

• Save through THiJARI or at a TH counter.
• Set up a Direct Debit in THiJARI for regular automatic savings.
• Apply for a monthly salary deduction to keep your savings on track.
• Check your place on the Semak Giliran Haji page of the TH website or in THiJARI.

Enquiries: the Tabung Haji Contact Centre (THCC) at 03-6207 1919 or th-info@lth.gov.my, daily from 8am to 6.30pm, except Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur public holidays.

Beware of scams

Seruan Istito'ah needs no registration through links in messages. Save only through THiJARI, TH counters or other official TH channels. Never give your THiJARI password or TAC to anyone, including people claiming to be "haj queue agents". You can check a suspicious message with our Scam Message Checker.