Stiffer penalties for tour operators who stiff umrah goers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism and Culture Ministry is looking at beefing up penalties for tour operators who offer fraudulent umrah packages.

This was related by the ministry's deputy secretary-general Haslina Abdul Hamid after the launch of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents' (Matta) first B2B Umrah and Muslim Holidays for 2018.

She said from 2012 till May this year, a total of 359 umrah (minor pilgrimage) fraud cases had been officially reported, entailing losses of RM12.4mil.

"We are studying this from every angle and examining all the loopholes, because some of these schemes can be quite complicated," said Haslina.

Currently, the penalty is only a compound issued against the tour operator.

"We are looking at increasing the penalties to make it painful for tour operators who defraud pilgrims," said licensing division secretary Hanum Amran.

When asked about programmes to educate potential pilgrims, especially in rural areas, Haslina said such programmes were already being done, but more will take place down the road.

"Aside from complaints lodged directly with us, we also take note of public complaints about being tricked with fraudulent umrah packages, and we will work with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and police to investigate such cases," she said.

"With our new minister and deputy coming in today, we will be brief them on the issue for further action," Haslina added.

According to Matta president Datuk Tan Kok Liang, over 330,000 visas were issued for umrah and Haj pilgrims from Malaysia in 2017.