Latest news with #PJH
The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
Haj scam: Company linked to 47 duped pilgrims unlicensed - Mohd Na'im
JASIN: The company linked to a recent fraud involving 47 Malaysian haj pilgrims has been confirmed to be operating without a valid licence or accreditation as a Haj Pilgrimage Operator (PJH), which is required to manage haj travel arrangements. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said preliminary checks showed that the agent in question was not affiliated with any company officially accredited by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) or the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Haj and Umrah. 'It is not a PJH company and most likely a travel agent. There is also a possibility that they entered Jeddah illegally to perform the haj using tourist visas or those from other countries, and if that is the case, it would indeed be difficult for us to detect the offence,' he told reporters after visiting and distributing prayer items to the Muslim community at Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Seraya here today. Commenting further, Mohd Na'im said the group of pilgrims was believed to have first travelled to another destination, most likely Türkiye, before entering Saudi Arabia. 'In this case, I understand they travelled from Jeddah via Türkiye and not directly back here (to Malaysia). So they entered Jeddah from Türkiye, and we cannot stop them if their stated reason is for a holiday or similar,' he said. He added that his ministry had undertaken numerous measures to curb such fraud cases, including issuing no fewer than 10 media statements during each haj season to warn pilgrims to remain vigilant against unscrupulous parties. Among the efforts, he said, included setting up a special task force with TH, the Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysia Police, as well as tightening regulatory oversight of all haj travel agents and taking stern action against unlicensed operators. Media reports previously stated that 47 Malaysian pilgrims were believed to have been duped by a local haj agent allegedly linked to a well-known religious figure.
Barnama
15 hours ago
- Barnama
Haj Scam: Company Linked To 47 Duped Pilgrims Unlicensed - Mohd Na'im
JASIN, June 16 (Bernama) -- The company linked to a recent fraud involving 47 Malaysian haj pilgrims has been confirmed to be operating without a valid licence or accreditation as a Haj Pilgrimage Operator (PJH), which is required to manage haj travel arrangements. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said preliminary checks showed that the agent in question was not affiliated with any company officially accredited by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) or the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Haj and Umrah. 'It is not a PJH company and most likely a travel agent. There is also a possibility that they entered Jeddah illegally to perform the haj using tourist visas or those from other countries, and if that is the case, it would indeed be difficult for us to detect the offence,' he told reporters after visiting and distributing prayer items to the Muslim community at Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Seraya here today.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Company linked to fraud of 47 haj pilgrims does not have licence, accreditation: Na'im
JASIN: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, has confirmed that the company linked to the fraud involving 47 haj pilgrims did not possess a valid licence or accreditation as a Haj Pilgrimage Operator (PJH), authorised to manage pilgrimage arrangements. He said initial checks revealed that the agent involved was not from any company officially accredited by Lembaga Tabung Haji or the Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry. Commenting further, Na'im said the ongoing investigation revealed that the agent was believed to have brought the pilgrims through a third country, suspected to be Türkiye, before entering Saudi Arabia — raising questions about the visa route and the actual whereabouts of pilgrims not recorded in the official system. "It is highly likely that this route was used to avoid scrutiny," he said after presenting prayer essentials to the Muslim community in the Bukit Seraya Orang Asli Settlement earlier today. He advised the public to check the background of companies offering haj or umrah packages. He added that the ministry will tighten regulations on all haj travel agents, including taking firm action against unlicensed operators. Meanwhile, Na'im urged those involved in organising these 'backdoor' haj packages to repent. He said many advisories and warnings had been issued to private haj operators to obtain approval from Tabung Haji to manage such pilgrimages, yet some parties continue to exploit pilgrims. Warnings have also been issued to the public about the risk of performing haj without a valid permit or quota, including during Friday sermons. "Yet such undesirable incidents continue to occur. I urge those involved to repent," Na'im added. Last Saturday, the media reported that 47 Malaysian pilgrims were allegedly victims of fraud by a local haj agent believed to involve a prominent religious figure. The report quoted a victim's child who claimed that her mother, father and aunt had travelled to Saudi Arabia for haj with the said agent on May 9 and were forced to trek through dangerous routes on foot without proper documentation to reach Makkah upon arrival in Jeddah, due to strict enforcement by Saudi authorities against unregistered haj pilgrims.
New Straits Times
07-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Mais urges haj scam victims to lodge police reports immediately
SHAH ALAM: Victims of fraudulent haj packages are urged to lodge police reports immediately and provide all relevant information to facilitate stern legal action against the syndicates or individuals involved. Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said prosecuting those involved in haj fraud is crucial to eradicating such practices and protecting Muslims from falling victim to scams. He also advised prospective pilgrims to verify the background and legitimacy of haj service providers by referring to the official list of licensed Hajj Pilgrimage Organisers (PJH) on the Lembaga Tabung Haji website. "Be cautious of offers that are too cheap or even free, as this is usually the modus operandi of fraudsters. "Also, immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities for further action," he said in a statement today. The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, earlier expressed his sadness and disappointment over the increase in haj package fraud cases involving Muslims in the country. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, His Royal Highness decreed that firm action be taken against any individual or travel agency offering haj packages that exploit and deceive Muslims. He expressed his disappointment at the latest incident reported by the media, in which more than 80 prospective pilgrims were left stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), believed to be due to fake packages offered by syndicates.
Malaysian Reserve
05-06-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
Two Datuks nabbed over fraudulent free haj packages
KUALA LUMPUR — Two individuals, both with the title 'Datuk', were arrested last Tuesday, on suspicion of involvement in fraudulent activities related to the offering of free haj packages. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali (picture) said the activity was uncovered after the 'Op Haji Terkandas' task force found a group of prospective pilgrims, waiting at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Monday for an individual with the title 'Datuk'. According to him, the individual was allegedly supposed to hand over visas enabling the group to depart for the Holy Land, but the promised documents were never delivered. 'Following this, one of the victims lodged a police report, claiming that he and his wife had handed over their international passports to two individuals, who had offered them free haj packages. 'The victim was promised a flight to Makkah on June 1, 2025, but as of June 3, 2025, no flight confirmation had been received from the company,' he said in a statement today. He said that the fraud was carried out by falsely claiming that the free haj packages were offered through a travel agency, registered as a haj pilgrimage organiser (PJH) for the 2025 season. 'To date, seven police reports have been lodged in connection with the fraudulent haj package offers by the company. However, no financial losses have been reported, as the packages were offered free of charge,' he said. He added that the two suspects, a 36-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, were released on police bail after their remand period ended yesterday. The case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 511 of the Penal Code. — BERNAMA
