NRD's Hedjaz Registrars Expedite Documentation For Malaysian Haj Pilgrims

From Amirul Mohd Sajadi

MAKKAH, May 31 (Bernama) -- The National Registration Department (NRD) has placed special officers as "Hejaz Registrars" in the Holy Land to ensure official documentation involving Malaysian pilgrims, particularly death registrations, can be processed efficiently and in an orderly manner.

Through the placement of the Hejaz Registrars in Makkah and Madinah, the NRD serves as a liaison between the Saudi Arabian and Malaysian authorities in coordinating official documentation procedures in the event of a pilgrim's death.

Head of the NRD Birth and Death Registration Unit (Hejaz Registrar), Salasiah Masron, said two officers have been stationed in Saudi Arabia for the 1447H/2026M haj season to manage cases through the Hejaz Death System, which is integrated with the Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) database.

She said the system enables death information to be transmitted directly to the NRD in Malaysia, expediting the issuance of death certificates required by heirs for faraid matters, insurance claims and estate administration.

“Our presence here is to ensure that documentation matters involving pilgrims can be handled swiftly and systematically, while also easing the burden on the next of kin in Malaysia,” she told reporters recently.

Salasiah said close cooperation between the NRD, TH, hospitals and accommodation management teams ensures that all supporting documents are obtained and verified before information is confirmed for further action in Malaysia.

As a proactive measure, the NRD also contacts the next of kin listed in the TH system to coordinate the collection of death certificates from the NRD office nearest to their residence.

She said the initiative is aimed at reducing the burden on families grieving the loss of loved ones in the Holy Land, while ensuring they receive the necessary documents without undue delay.

According to Salasiah, the adoption of digital technology has significantly transformed the management of pilgrim death registrations. Processes that were previously carried out manually, including the transmission of documents via email, are now conducted automatically through the integrated NRD-TH system.

Information can now be channelled directly into the NRD system, making the issuance of death certificates faster and more efficient,” she said.

To date, 10 Malaysian pilgrims performing the 1447H/2026M haj have been reported to have died in the Holy Land.

-- BERNAMA