PUTRAJAYA: Nearly 400 prospective haj pilgrims who were stranded at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will be refunded in stages and have their passports returned, says the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac).
In a statement here, it said the matter was informed by a representative of the licensed travel agency involved during a meeting at the KLIA yesterday.
Those who did not get their money back are advised to lodge a police report at the KLIA Main Terminal Building police station or the nearest police station, the ministry said on Friday (July 8).
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The victims are also urged to file a formal complaint on the matter to the ministry through its Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) at https://motac.spab.gov.myand the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TPPM) at https://ttpm.kpdnhep.gov.my/portal/home.
For those who wish to lodge a complaint via SISPAA, they need to enclose documents such as booking confirmation invoices, payment receipts, copies of passport or visa, flight tickets (if any) as well their police reports to assist in the investigations.
The ministry said the incident would be investigated under Section 8(1)(d) of the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) for conducting business in a manner which is prejudicial to the interest of the public, the tourism industry or the national economy.
If found guilty, the travel agency could face a suspension or revocation of its licence, it said.
About 380 prospective haj pilgrims were stranded at the KLIA yesterday, believed to have been cheated by a travel agency.
The group is said to have been issued the furada or private haj visa to perform their pilgrimage without going through Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH). – Bernama
