Motac probes travel agency over S’wak umrah pilgrims RM78,300 loses

MIRI (Jan 30): The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) has launched an investigation into a travel agency following claims by a group of umrah pilgrims here who allegedly suffered losses exceeding RM78,300 after the agency failed to settle accommodation and return flight payments during their pilgrimage.

Deputy minister Chiew Choon Man said the ministry acted immediately after the case was reported by The Borneo Post on Jan 28.

“I have instructed the Sarawak Motac office to take enforcement action if any breaches of the law were identified,” the Miri MP said in a statement.

Motac enforcement officers inspected a branch office in Kuching yesterday (Jan 30), seizing items believed relevant to the investigation.

“Preliminary findings indicate the company failed to deliver the services promised, forcing pilgrims to bear the cost of accommodation and return flights themselves.

“Stern action and heavy penalties will be imposed if the company is found guilty,” Chiew added.

The case is being investigated under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) and its regulations.

Chiew warned that stern action and heavy penalties would be imposed if the company is found guilty.

He added that Motac remains committed to ensuring licensed tourism operators conduct their business responsibly and do not jeopardise the welfare of the public, the tourism industry, or the national economy,”.

The case came to light after the umrah group lodged a police report.

“We were instructed to leave our hotel in Madinah and move to a budget accommodation because the agency did not make the payment. We also had to buy our return tickets at about RM1,500 each,” said Hanim Jaraee, one of the complainants.

“The company promised refunds, but we never received anything,” she added.

The pilgrims, who registered their umrah package on May 20, 2025, paid RM6,990 per person for a package that included return flights, accommodation, and ziarah arrangements, totalling RM150,000.

While their journey from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah and their stay in Mecca proceeded as planned, problems emerged in Madinah due to the agency’s failure to settle payments.