Malaysia won't send pilgrims for Haj this year: Minister

Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said the decision was made after receiving the consent of Malaysia's King Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, reports The Star newspaper.

"This was a difficult decision as we know performing the Haj is of great importance to Muslims," he told a press conference here.

Malaysia is among the countries that have suspended the sending of their Haj pilgrims besides Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand and Brunei.