PUTRAJAYA, May 13 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) advised Muslims in the country not to abuse the Tourist Visa and Umrah Visa for the purpose of performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
In a statement today, Motac said the advice was issued to ensure that no Umrah pilgrims from Malaysia take the opportunity to overstay on the Holy Land until the Hajj season.
As the ministry responsible for issuing permits to travel agencies offering Umrah packages, MOTAC also advised Umrah operators and pilgrims to complete the Umrah pilgrimage before the start of the Hajj season and to comply with the regulations set by the Saudi Arabian government.
The Hajj season will start in the third week of June this year.
“Motac takes the matter seriously because it involves the interests and safety of Umrah pilgrims and tries to prevent the occurrence of untoward incidents, apart from maintaining the good relationship that has been established between the Malaysian and Saudi Arabian governments,” read the statement.
The ministry said it is an offence under the regulations of the Saudi Arabian government to perform the Hajj . pilgrimage without a valid permit.
Also, the Saudi Arabian government only recognises Hajj permits issued by accredited institutions for each country such as the Pilgrims Fund Board or Tabung Hajj (TH) in Malaysia, it said.
Motac said appropriate action will be taken if it is proven that it involves an Umrah operator company licensed by the ministry.
— Bernama
