KUCHING: The Sarawak Umrah and Hajj Association (SUHA) has called on all stakeholders to work together to protect the integrity of the umrah industry for the benefit of the Muslim community in Sarawak.
Its chairman Ruzaiman Ghazalee said the recent incident involving over 300 Malaysian pilgrims including Sarawakians being stranded and unable to depart for their umrah pilgrimage has negatively impacted the local umrah industry.
He said it has also affected the reputation of licensed agencies that have been managing umrah operations responsibly and diligently.
“While we do not intend to assign blame to any party considering how this matter is still under investigation by the authorities, we are very concerned about this incident. For pilgrims from Sarawak, the costs are significantly higher due to the additional expenses for domestic flights and other logistical arrangements.
“We urge the rights of the affected pilgrims to be protected and for justice to prevail,” he said.
Ruzaiman pointed out that umrah operators should not prioritise market dominance at the expense of proper and systematic management.
He added the association hopes this incident serves as a lesson for all stakeholders in the industry to take immediate action to improve the implementation of proper practices for more effective management.
“Umrah operations must be managed systematically, carefully and with full accountability. This includes the management of flight tickets, accommodation and logistics in the holy land as well as compliance with current laws and regulations, both locally and in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
While prospective pilgrims tend to choose packages based on the lowest price, Ruzaiman stressed that they should consider other important factors such as reputation of the operator, particularly their experience and track record.
He said it is also advisable for pilgrims to avoid unlicensed operators as this could lead to complications if any issues arise and it is not in compliance with the law.
“Agencies must implement transparent and responsible management practices. Each and every prospective pilgrim can help and play a role in the growth of the local umrah and hajj industry by choosing operators who follow proper umrah management procedures.
“Otherwise, the aim of the state government and SUHA to create a safer and more secure environment will never be successful in Sarawak. With the support and awareness of all parties, we can build a more harmonious and trustworthy local umrah industry in the state,” he said.
