Ensuring the safety and smooth flow of pilgrims.

Annually, about two million pilgrims from around the world go to Mecca to perform the haj and there have been occasional stampedes.

For the haj in December this year, Singapore had asked for 3,000 places, as in previous years. However, it was told by the Saudis last week that it had been allotted only 2,180 places.

'I called up the (haj) minister to understand what was going on,' Dr Yaacob told reporters at the end of a visit to Madrasah Aljunied.

'He explained to me that this is across the board, because of (infrastructure) developments in Mecca and Mina,' he said. Mina, near Mecca, is a pilgrim stop.

'If you look at it from the positive point of view, perhaps the Saudi authorities are thinking about the safety and the smooth flow of the pilgrims.

'If you have the same number when places are not enough, there will be problems,' he added.

Dr Yaacob has written an appeal to the Saudi haj minister, Dr Fouad Bin Abdul Salam Al Farsi, for more places but is prepared for the worst.

'This is beyond our control,' he said. Urging patience on those who cannot go this year, he said: 'There is another opportunity next year.'

The number of pilgrims has been rising each year and the Saudi government gives each country a quota of pilgrims allowed.

In Singapore, would-be pilgrims have to register with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), which oversees haj services. The pilgrims then choose an approved haj package from travel agencies.

Dr Yaacob said Muis will work with these agencies to minimise the impact of the cutback.

Muis will send letters by next week to inform those who are successful. The 820 who are not successful will get priority next year, it said.