The haj quota for Malaysia this year is 31,600, which is 10,000 more than last year. However, according to the Pilgrims' Fund Board (Tabung Haji), they received 85,000 applications to perform the haj this year.
With the high demand for haj visas, some unscrupulous parties are offering fake invitational haj visas (Mujamalah Visas) on social media.
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According to Tabung Haji there had been a rise in fraudulent offers of Mujamalah Visas on various social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
Its director (Haj Operators), Anuar Ahmad, advised those who obtain the visa to register and perform the pilgrimage through any of the 37 haj operators licensed by Tabung Haji under Section 28 of the Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535) to safeguard their welfare and ensure a smooth pilgrimage.
"If the Mujamalah Visa is offered by a company or individual not listed among the 37 licensed PJHs, it poses a big risk.
"Tabung Haji does not know the capabilities of the parties concerned, the location of the pilgrims' accommodation, nor the form of service that will be provided. What's more concerning is that these parties are not subject to any supervision or monitoring by Tabung Haji," he said when met by the media here recently.
Anuar said that only agencies registered under Tabung Haji are allowed to manage Malaysian haj pilgrims to ensure every stage of the pilgrimage runs smoothly and to avoid any risk of fraud or abuse.
"Therefore, we urge the public not to be easily deceived by dubious haj offers, especially those offering prices that are too cheap or too expensive. Avoid making any advance payments or deposits without official confirmation from Tabung Haji," he said.
Anuar said that the Saudi Arabian government has the sole prerogative of issuing Mujamalah Visas, which fall outside Malaysia's official haj quota.
He also assured that Tabung Haji would minitor the operations of the 37 haj operators licensed for this year's haj season, compared to 25 last year.
"Haj operators' licenses are only issued after going through a strict application and assessment process by TH. They are valid for one haj season only, with no guarantee of automatic renewal in the following year.
"Therefore, each haj operator must maintain a consistently high level of service," he said.
According to him, to date, 28.3% of pilgrims in the official quota chose to perform the haj pilgrimage through haj operators, with the rest performing the pilgrimage under the management of muassasahs (Tabung Haji).
However, he said, every pilgrim is required to first receive an official offer letter from Tabung Haji before choosing the haj package. – Bernama
