MATTA calls on the Tourism Ministry to seriously address the escalating issue of Umrah scams in the country, as they have not only tarnished the reputation of the travel industry but also caused financial losses and emotional distress to innocent pilgrims seeking to fulfil their religious obligations.
The association representing the tourism industry wants the government to take immediate and drastic action to strengthen and expand its enforcement unit dedicated to monitoring activities on social media platforms. The prevalence of scammers and unlicensed individuals exploiting these platforms requires a proactive and vigilant approach to identify and apprehend those responsible for fraudulent activities.
MATTA President, Nigel Wong stated, “The current and glaring weakness over the past decades lie in what is viewed as inadequate level of enforcement especially on unlicensed operators, rendering new policies and regulations ineffective. To restore public confidence and ensure the success of regulatory measures, we urge MOTAC and other related agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against those engaging in fraudulent Umrah activities.”
It also said it has reservations about the proposed implementation of a grade system for Umrah operators arguing that the potential drawbacks could outweigh the intended benefits. Emphasisinng the need for a careful and inclusive consideration of the potential drawbacks and unintended consequences before implementing a grade system for Umrah operators.
