Malaysians stranded in Makkah for using tourist visa to perform Haj, TH looking best way to help - Dr Zulkifli

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) and the Pilgrim Fund Board (Tabung Haji - TH) are still in the process of finding the best way to help a group of Malaysian pilgrims who were allegedly stranded in Makkah because they used tourist visas to perform the Haj pilgrimage.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said this included the option of bringing home the Malaysians concerned.

"Currently we are investigating and so far we have not been able to confirm the number of those stranded. "However, we are also always in touch with the Malaysian Consulate (in Jeddah) because this is a shared responsibility to look after the welfare of Malaysians there," he told reporters after attending the International Waqf Conference 2024 (IWC24) here today.

Based on media reports, about 300 prospective Malaysian pilgrims are now stranded in Makkah as the agency managing their trip failed to fulfil the promise to obtain permission for the group to perform the haj pilgrimage this season.

It is learnt that the prospective Haj group was deceived by the offer of a cheap Haj package by using tourist visas to perform the pilgrimage.

As such, TH advised the pilgrims involved to make an official complaint or report to TH and the Malaysian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to facilitate further investigation.

-- BERNAMA