Outbound travellers in Sabah warned of risky payment terms
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 13): The Sabah Tour and Travel Agents Association (Satta) has cautioned the public about outbound travel packages that require unusually early and large payments.
Satta president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw said certain groups are offering tours that demand a deposit followed by full payment 45 days before departure.
'Normally, payment is collected from tour members 30 days or three weeks before departure, and the full sum is paid to the agent only once the members arrive in the destination country,' he said on Tuesday.
According to Liaw, the groups claim the money must be sent to China or Korea 45 days in advance but do not disclose the identity of the operator.
'In 45 days, they can already collect 50 per cent of the payment, and later the remaining balance. This could easily total RM100 million. It's risky because the cash flow is entirely in their hands,' he said.
Liaw warned that there have been cases where travellers paid in full but found no arrangements upon arrival, often leading to lengthy legal disputes.
'I'm not against their promotional methods, but the payment system. I don't want Malaysians to be cheated. They have been doing this in Sarawak and West Malaysia, and now they seem to be eyeing Sabah,' he added.
While stopping short of calling it a scam, Liaw urged caution and suggested requiring bank guarantees from operators using this payment method as a safeguard.
'It would instil more trust if bank guarantees are issued to each travel agent. This is a very important matter,' he said.
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