SEPANG: Malaysia has recorded no cases of Haj or Umrah package fraud, including badal haji (proxy Haj) scams, so far this year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan said.
He attributed the achievement to enforcement cooperation and public awareness campaigns, while warning that scammers may change their methods from one Hajj season to another.
Zulkifli said the government was continuing to work with the Royal Malaysia Police, the Department of Waqf, Zakat and Haj, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to tackle fraudulent Hajj packages.
Efforts include the “No Visa, No Haj” campaign and monitoring suspicious Hajj and proxy-Hajj advertisements on social media.
He stressed that Tabung Haji (TH) had not appointed individual agents to sell Hajj packages. Only 34 licensed Hajj Management Companies (PJH) are authorised, he said, adding that unauthorised offers could lead to legal action under the Tabung Haji Act 1995.
Holders of Furada or Mujamalah Haj visas were advised to arrange their travel and welfare through licensed PJH companies.
KHUP5 brought together the 34 licensed companies to help prospective pilgrims compare packages. Zulkifli said options included packages priced below RM55,000.
He urged PJH companies to uphold integrity, professionalism, safety and pilgrims’ welfare, and said close cooperation among the government, TH and the companies was essential to protect Malaysian pilgrims amid changing Saudi requirements.
