KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Naim Mokhtar said no official reports have been lodged regarding Malaysians falling victims to unscrupulous pilgrimage tour agents.
This follows media reports of Malaysians being stranded in Makkah and Madinah due to deceptive haj packages sold under tourist visas.
"So far, no official reports related to this matter have been received by Tabung Haji (TH).
"Pilgrims who believe they have been deceived should file complaints with TH, the Malaysian Consulate General in Jeddah, or the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry for further investigation," he said in a statement.
Naim said any individual or tourism agency offering haj package services without TH approval is committing an offence under the Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535) and will face legal action.
The statement came in response to claims made by a pilgrimage tour agency manager, Afiz Ayub, who reported that thousands of Malaysians were stranded in Saudi Arabia due to fraudulent haj visa schemes.
He said that the number of affected individuals might be higher than the 300 reported by the media, with victims being lured by haj packages priced between RM45,000 and RM60,000.