CYBERJAYA: Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd (Dagang Net), has successfully implemented Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route initiative across six airports in three countries. The Makkah Route initiative simplifies the Hajj pilgrimage process by facilitating pre-clearance procedures in pilgrims’ home countries, ensuring smoother arrivals in Saudi Arabia with direct transfers to accommodations in Makkah and Madinah.
In 2024, Dagang Net secured an RM11.5 million contract to support the Makkah Route initiative, playing a key role in ensuring a seamless Hajj pilgrimage for participating countries. Dagang Net focused on overseeing site facilitation and providing technical and technological equipment for the designated immigration pre-clearance areas established by Saudi Arabia. This involved collaboration between DNeX and countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkey.
DNeX’s Executive Chairman, Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, stated, “We understand the significance of Hajj for Muslims around the world. Contributing to initiatives like the Makkah Route fills us with immense pride, supporting such a significant journey of faith. By streamlining the entry process, we alleviate some of the challenges pilgrims face, allowing them to focus entirely on this holy experience.”
He added that the Group’s involvement in the Makkah Route initiative has been a strategic success, allowing DNeX to contribute to a meaningful cause while gaining valuable experience working with international partners and airport authorities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkey. This expanded DNeX’s regional presence and opened opportunities for future collaborations.
Dagang Net was first awarded this project in 2019, initially tasked with providing site facilitation and technical and technological equipment at pre-clearance areas in Malaysia and Indonesia. Due to their successful implementation, they were awarded an additional site in Turkey in 2023, followed by three more sites in Turkey and Indonesia in 2024.
The six sites involved are KUL – KLIA Terminal 1 (Malaysia), CGK – Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (Jakarta, Indonesia), SUB – Juanda International Airport (Surabaya, Indonesia), SOC – Adi Soemarmo Airport (Solo, Indonesia), IST – Istanbul Airport (Istanbul, Turkey), and ESB – Ankara Esenboga Airport (Ankara, Turkey).
The project was awarded by Elm Company, a Saudi government-owned entity incorporated by the Public Investment Fund, the investment arm of the Saudi Ministry of Finance.
