Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency

February 11, 2004

TIMOR LESTE WANTS TABUNG HAJI-STYLE AGENCY

MEDINA, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Timor Leste has shown interest in setting up a body to manage haj pilgrimage for it's Muslim population, akin to Malaysia's Tabung Haji.

Timor Leste's assistant finance minister Aicha Umar Bassarewan told this to Bernama here. She said Timor Leste planned to seek cooperation from Tabung Haji on matters and issues related to the haj pilgrimage.

"This could be later translated into an agreement with Malaysia," she said.

Aicha said Muslims made up less than one per cent of Timor Leste's some 800,000 population and their pilgrimage to the Holy Land created logistic problems.

Timor Leste would send its officials to learn the management of haj pilgrims from Tabung Haji, said Aicha, adding that the country might use the agency's services for its services.

"We already have cooperation with Malaysia in other fields," she said.

Aicha performed the haj this year, with her husband Sultan Hadiwijaya bin Hadiwajaya and three others from Timor Leste, through Tabung Haji.

She arrived on a Jan 21 flight and scheduled to return Feb 19.

Back to February menu
January
World Leaders Contact List
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu