In a parliamentary reply to opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut), the prime minister said the subsidy will be reserved for those in the M40 and B40 groups.

“Targeted subsidies are being made an issue. We will not increase the electricity tariff except for the T20 group. I want to make things clear, the T20 will no longer receive the subsidy.

“This is the same with haj financial assistance. We have increased (the subsidy) to the B40 group but not for the T20 group. They will have to bear the full cost because they can afford it,” he said.

On March 20, Lembaga Tabung Haji announced that anyone earning more than RM15,000 a month must pay the full amount for their pilgrimage, adding that the haj financial assistance (Hafis) will be targeted for the B40 and M40 groups.

Tabung Haji group managing director Amrin Awaluddin had also said the cost to perform the haj had increased to RM30,850 compared with RM28,623 last year.

Tabung Haji is bearing 61% of the cost, easing the burden of the B40 group who will only need to pay RM10,980, while the M40 will receive a 48% subsidy and will pay RM15,980 for the pilgrimage.

Muslims who fall under the T20 group will have to bear the full cost.