KUALA LUMPUR: With reports that Malaysian citizens took part in the Berih 3.0 protests in Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, the Malaysian government is concerned that the ultra-conservative Gulf country could ban the Southeast Asian citizens from participating in the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to the Islamic holy sites. The government here in Kuala Lumpur told Bikyamasr.com on Friday that it believes its “very strong” relationship with Saudi Arabia should prevent such barring of Malaysians from participating in the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages, but worries persist. “We are definitely concerned over the reports and the possibility that Malaysians could be banned, but we are confident that the Saudis will not take such drastic action,” Yussif Rahman, a Malaysian foreign ministry official told Bikyamasr.com. “I have personally spoken to our Saudi friends, and while they are upset and looking into the situation, they have assured us that nothing has yet been decided,” he added. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom added to the fears, saying the government was “very worried that the Saudi government might bar Malaysians from performing the Hajj and Umrah” following the reports that some groups of Malaysians had taken part in the protests. Both Baharom and Rahman admitted that the Saudi decision was out of their hands and they had to face any ruling with dignity. Saudi Arabia has been increasingly concerned and disgruntled by the foreign presence in protests in the country and have threatened to bar citizens from countries participating in local internal demonstrations. “The Saudi authorities have not taken any decision yet. “All we know is that they are considering taking action which can affect our pilgrims selected to perform the haj,” Baharom said Thursday. Malaysia currently has a quota for pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia of 26,000.