KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) has warned travel agencies that their licences will be revoked if they use tourist and umrah visas to organise haj pilgrimages.
Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said in a statement said he had instructed the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman and Tourism Malaysia to investigate the matter.
"The ministry is awaiting a full report from them and if necessary, officers from headquarters will be deployed.
"We will take appropriate action against tourism agencies if they are found to have misused tourist and umrah visas for the purpose of organising haj pilgrimages.
"If any party is found to commit this offence, their tourism licence will be revoked," he said.
Tiong said the ministry viewed the interests and safety of pilgrims seriously, as well as maintaining the good relationship between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia governments.
Tiong said that last year, the ministry had issued a statement prohibiting the use of tourist and umrah visas to organise haj pilgrimages.
"The reminder was made public to ensure that no umrah pilgrims take advantage of overstaying until the haj season.
"Performing the haj without a permit is an offence under the regulations of the Saudi Arabian government, which only recognises haj permits issued by authorised institutions for each country, such as Tabung Haji (TH) for Malaysia.
"Therefore, it is crucial for all parties to be vigilant and ensure that they deal only with legitimate and recognised entities."
Tiong also asked pilgrims stranded in Makkah to contact TH and the Malaysian mission in Jeddah for help.
About 300 Malaysians in Makkah are reportedly unable to perform the haj as the agency organising their pilgrimage had applied for tourist visas instead of haj visas.