KUALA LUMPUR: Haj and umrah travel agencies handling pilgrims annually must posses a haj operator licence (PJH) issued by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).
TH Travel & Services Sdn Bhd (THTS) chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ruzman Ahmad Razali said if such agencies did not have a PJH licence, it was tantamount to an offense under the Tabung Haji Act 1995 and they could be prosecuted.
He said every year, only about 20 PJH agencies are registered with TH, with the rest possessing only a licence under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
"It is very sad when an incident such as this happens even though it does not involve TH, because each year there are definitely incidents like this happening.
"Preferably anyone who wants to perform the haj, use the services of PJH because at least if a complaint is made, TH has the power to take action.
"The PJH licence will be issued to an agency annually and the public can get the information on the TH website," Ruzman, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, told BH.
It was reported yesterday that some 380 prospective pilgrims were stranded at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) believed to be victims of a scam by a travel agency.
Those who gathered at Level 5, KLIA Departure Hall are believed to have used the furada visas to perform the haj and not through TH.
Meanwhile, President of the Malaysian Umrah & Hajj Travel Agency Association (PAPUH), Datuk Seri Razali Mohd Sham explained the furada visa was a special invitation visa by the Saudi Arabian government to dignitaries and not for the general public.
He said that this year, about 200 furada visas were issued by the Saudi government to dignitaries in the country and usually the names have already been listed.
"So it is quite impossible for the public to be offered the furada visas, more so if it is commercialised.
"Even if there are haj and umrah travel agencies promoting the furada visa, the public should never take-up such offer.
"There can be no travel agency that can offer the furada visa," he said.
He added that for prospective pilgrims seeking to perform the haj, it is better to register with TH and go with the PJH agency under TH.
"For the first time in TH's history, an additional last-minute visa 5,000 was granted and TH gave 2,000 from the quota to PJH companies.
"So to the public, never go through via any unregistered haj and Umrah travel agency for fear that such a predicament may happen.
"For prospective pilgrims who are stranded, demand for your money again," he said.
