Its haj executive director Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman said any tour operator could apply to be a licensed operator and selections would be made yearly after the conditions were met.

“This system has been used since 2000 and improved periodically and was last updated this year,” he said in a statement today.

He said the selection criteria was aimed at ensuring local tour operators were capable of providing the best service, including taking good care of Malaysian pilgrims.

TH chose two new operators this year, Az Zuha Group Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd and Mimm Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, to manage haj pilgrimages, he added.

He said applicants were required to fulfil 10 conditions, including having at least three consecutive years’ experience of managing umrah services, at least RM500,000 in paid up capital and no ongoing court cases.

Syed Saleh said TH issued 22 licences to local tour operators on Feb 22 this year, and the companies went through a detailed screening and selection process to operate as licensed haj operators.

He urged the public, especially prospective pilgrims, to use only the haj package provided by TH and to refer to the list of haj operators on the TH website at www.tabunghaji.gov.my.