PU Abu plans resignation over stranded pilgrims incident

New Straits Times

6 days ago

SEPANG: Muhammad Abu Sufyan Mohd Mokhtar Rozaidi, better known as PU Abu, has announced his intention to resign as an umrah guide with a travel agency following the recent incident involving stranded pilgrims in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abu Sufyan said the decision came after facing numerous challenges while managing the group of pilgrims who were unable to return to Malaysia as originally scheduled.
He said the company's management failed to provide any clear explanation regarding the funds for accommodation and return flights, despite repeated attempts to seek clarification since the beginning of the incident.
"I gave the company until 6.30pm (local time) on July 26 to respond.
"However, when there was no action or response, I decided to bring the matter to social media," he said when met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday.
Abu Sufyan said this was a last resort to draw the attention of the relevant authorities, including government agencies and the public, to help resolve the crisis faced by the stranded pilgrims.
"I did not expect the issue to receive such widespread attention, including coverage from television stations and local media, which in turn helped to put pressure on those responsible," he added.
Abu Sufyan said Ustaz Firdaus (Firabib Group Sdn Bhd managing director Mohd Firdaus Mat Akhir) had stepped in with a sum of money as collateral to cover accommodation costs and purchase return tickets through a travel agency.
"I saw no way out. There were no funds, and the answers remained the same. Alhamdulillah, Ustaz Firdaus came forward to help and gave his assurance that the pilgrims would be flown home," he said.
Abu Sufyan added that since the matter was publicised on social media, several parties, including the Malaysian Embassy in Jeddah, had come forward to assist, and their efforts eventually enabled all 39 pilgrims to return safely to Malaysia.
"I would like to express my appreciation to the media and all individuals who played a role in ensuring the pilgrims' welfare was safeguarded.
"I am deeply disappointed — umrah operators should not solely focus on profit but must also take responsibility for the pilgrims and staff who rely on them," he said.
Abu Sufyan said he had joined the company as an umrah guide in 2023 and had only an employee relationship with the management — he was neither a partner nor an owner.
"I will be submitting my resignation letter. In addition, several parties have approached me with offers to start my own agency.
"For now, I need some space to recover and will discuss with the pilgrims and relevant parties to seek justice," he said.
Previously, 43 pilgrims were reported stranded in Jeddah after the agency, Persada Global Holidays Sdn Bhd, failed to provide return flight tickets upon completion of their umrah.
The pilgrims, aged between 20 and 60, were forced to stay overnight at a nearby apartment after being unable to board their scheduled flight.
They had arrived on July 16 through an umrah package offered by the agency and were supposed to return to Malaysia on July 26.