KUCHING, July 12: The decision whether to suspend or revoke the licence of a travel agency involved in the recent incident of stranded hajj pilgrims will be made after the investigation into the incident is completed.
In a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said her ministry will investigate the case with the police.
She explained that although the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) does not have the authority to manage the hajj and umrah programmes, the travel agency’s licensing is under the ministry’s control.
Therefore, the investigation is necessary as the companies involved are not complying with the law, which will be detrimental to the public, the tourism industry, and the country’s economy.
“For this case, we must wait for the police report first, and at the same time, we are also investigating. Then, we can take action if they violate the rules,” she said.
She said this when met by reporters while attending the ‘ibadah korban’ ceremony at Surau Darul Taqwa Kampung Sibau Rumbau on Monday (July 11).
On July 7, 380 pilgrims were stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after their travel agency allegedly failed to obtain visa approval. — DayakDaily
