3,611 planning umrah visits cheated of RM14.1mil
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A TOTAL of 3,611 Muslims were cheated of RM14.1mil which they had paid for non-existent umrah visits to Saudi Arabia since 2009, says Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
“Since 2009 and as of May this year, there have been nine cheating cases involving 3,611 victims who had lost RM14.1mil.
“These cases involved eight tour companies and a tour operator,” he said when replying to a question raised by Zairil Khir Johari (DAP-Bukit Bendera).
The ministry had revoked the licenses of the tour companies proven to have cheated the travellers.
He said that travel companies offering umrah packages differed from the usual tour companies or agents as they must obtain special visas from the Saudi Arabian government for umrah or haj trips.
“As of now, there are 38 umrah tour companies listed with my ministry.
“I advise those seeking to perform the umrah pilgrimage to verify the authenticity of the tour companies via the ministry website,” he added.
Separately, Public Accounts Committee chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said Government officials should stop blaming the Public Works Department (PWD) whenever public projects ended up with cost overruns or delays.
Expressing his displeasure over such blame-games, he said the officials should negotiate and work together with the PWD to ensure that the requirements of the projects were clearly laid out.
