By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Aug 5: Prospective pilgrims intending to perform Umrah or Hajj should verify the credentials of travel agencies before making any payments and, ideally, engage registered operators such as those under the Sarawak Umrah and Hajj Association (SUHA) to avoid falling victim to fraud.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said cases of Umrah and Hajj-related scams continue to occur every year, affecting pilgrims who place their trust in unverified travel agents.
“Every year, we continue to hear stories of people being cheated while intending to perform Hajj or Umrah. Many Sarawakians have also fallen victim to such cases.
“Those intending to perform Umrah or Hajj should verify the credentials of travel agencies beforehand. If they engage registered agencies under SUHA, I dare say such cases of fraud will not arise,” he said during the SUITEX26 press conference in the ministry’s meeting room today.
Abdul Karim was speaking ahead of the second edition of the Sarawak Umrah and Islamic Tourism Expo Festival 2026 (SUITEX26), which will be held at Boulevard Mall, Miri, from Aug 28 to 30.
The three-day event will bring together 15 licensed Hajj and Umrah travel agencies registered under SUHA, providing visitors with an opportunity to compare trusted pilgrimage packages, enjoy exclusive promotions and obtain direct advice from industry players.
The expo will run daily from 10am to 10pm and feature a range of activities, including knowledge-sharing sessions, religious talks, forums, practical Haji Cilik sessions and lucky draws.
Abdul Karim said SUITEX26 reflects Sarawak’s commitment to strengthening Islamic tourism as a growing segment of the State’s tourism industry.
“Islamic tourism is a segment with tremendous potential for continued growth, not only from an economic perspective but also as a platform to strengthen values, culture and regional cooperation networks,” he said.
He added that the expo aligns with the Sarawak government’s aspiration to expand inclusive and high-quality tourism products while positioning Sarawak as a progressive Islamic tourism destination in the Borneo region.
The event is also expected to generate positive spillover effects for various sectors, including hospitality, food and beverage, transportation, small and medium enterprises, as well as the wider economy in Miri.
Meanwhile, SUHA chairman Ruzaiman Ghazali said SUITEX26, which debuted in Kuching last year, aims to help the public obtain accurate information and make informed decisions when selecting Umrah packages.
He said the expo is expected to attract visitors from Sabah, Brunei Darussalam and Kalimantan, Indonesia, and will also feature the launch of the book Pelaksanaan Solat Fardu dan Solat Sunat Harian as well as the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SUHA and FKU Kalbar (West Kalimantan Umrah Travel Association).
Ruzaiman said the collaboration with the West Kalimantan association, which comprises nearly 80 member agencies, is intended to strengthen Islamic tourism cooperation between Sarawak and Kalimantan Barat.
Visitors will also stand a chance to win prizes worth nearly RM80,000, including free Umrah packages, trips to Indonesia, complimentary air tickets and various vouchers.
“Visitors do not need to make any purchases. They only need to register and attend the event to be eligible for the lucky draw,” he said.
Meanwhile, SUHA secretary Dr Syed Abdul Aziz said SUITEX26 will also serve as an educational platform to raise public awareness about the considerations and risks associated with performing Umrah through do-it-yourself (DIY) arrangements.
He said that while DIY Umrah arrangements are available in the open market, the expo will provide guidance on the key differences between organising a pilgrimage independently and engaging registered Umrah operators.
“During SUITEX26, we will organise a forum featuring three panellists with extensive experience in the Umrah industry to share insights with Muslims and prospective pilgrims on the risks and challenges associated with DIY Umrah arrangements,” he said. — DayakDaily
