Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has ordered that travel agencies offering Umrah packages must secure a mandatory bank guarantee. Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing stated this measure is essential to protect pilgrims' funds and ensure compensation in cases of fraud, negligence, or an agency's failure to fulfill its package.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this decision follows an incident involving the stranding of 36 Umrah pilgrims in Madinah. The Malaysian Embassy in Riyadh informed MOTAC about the situation, and all pilgrims have since safely returned to Malaysia. Tiong announced that MOTAC has raided the company's premises, collected statements from its representatives and the affected pilgrims, and opened an investigation. The Ministry is also considering revoking the travel agency's license.

The group, which included elderly individuals and children, had paid RM7,600 each for packages that promised accommodation and return flights. Due to the agency's failure to provide these services, the pilgrims relied on charitable donations for their return tickets.

In a broader enforcement update, Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing reported that MOTAC has conducted 64 operations against non-compliant agencies since 2023, resulting in the suspension of four licenses and two revocations. Tiong emphasized the need for stricter measures due to the recurrence of such incidents.

MOTAC urges the public to verify an agency's license status before making any payments and to report any malpractice immediately. This measure aligns with the Ministry's plan, announced last year, to make bank guarantees compulsory for travel agency licenses, particularly for Umrah operators, under the Tourism Industry Act 1992.