KUALA LUMPUR: New guidelines regarding umrah operator licences will be announced next month, says Deputy Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.
These guidelines are aimed at streamlining the application process for expanding foreign tourism business licences specifically for umrah.
The announcement follows a series of engagement sessions held since last year to enhance accreditation for umrah operators, aimed at combating fraudulent umrah and haj cases.
"The criteria will be announced next month to ensure that umrah operators fulfil their business commitments and deliver on promised packages," he said in response to a supplementary question from Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh).
Responding to a query from Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh) about measures to monitor fraudulent umrah cases and support victims, Khairul Firdaus said there were plans to strengthen the Tourism Industry Act 1992.
This enhancement aims to bolster enforcement against fraudulent travel packages, including those for umrah.
Regarding monitoring fraudulent cases, Khairul Firdaus acknowledged challenges faced by the ministry due to limitations in manpower for thorough investigations.
"The ministry is also facing some constraints where the enforcement officers are unable to go through every case thoroughly."
Earlier, to the initial question from Fawwaz about the number of fraudulent umrah and haj cases from 2019 to 2024, Khairul Firdaus said based on the statistics from the police, a total of 252 investigation papers had been opened for umrah fraud cases from 2019 to May this year, involving losses amounting to RM9.81 million.
"As for claims for compensation for the purchase of goods and services not exceeding RM50,000, a total of 1,549 cases were lodged with the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TTPM), with total claims of RM29.58 million and awards amounting to RM16.37 million."
From 2023 to May this year, he said the ministry received 349 complaints related to umrah, amounting to RM14.09 million in losses.
Khairul Firdaus urged complainants to pursue compensation claims through TTPM and file police reports for fraud cases.
The ministry has initiated 19 investigations into umrah-related complaints, resulting in eight cases being compounded with fines totaling RM241,000.
Additionally, he said, two umrah operator licences have been suspended or revoked under the Tourism Industry Act for offences related to fraudulent practices.