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Umrah Regulatory Council (MKSU)

The Umrah Regulatory Council (MKSU) is a government initiative that was established on 28 August 2014. The Council is led by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. It comprised of the Department of Waqf Zakat and Hajj (JAWHAR), Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN), Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC), Ministry of Transport (MOT), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), the Malaysian Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (MATTA) and the Association of Bumiputera Travel and Tourism Agencies (BUMITRA).

MKSU’s terms of reference are as follows:

  • Establish a regulatory mechanism for handling umrah packages.
  • Plan the implementation of public awareness campaigns.
  • Monitor enforcement status and investigation of fraud cases in an integrated manner.
  • Monitor the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by MATTA and BUMITRA for the handling of umrah packages.
  • Monitor the implementation of service standards of tour operators and travel agencies in handling umrah packages.

The government is very committed and devises a strategy to address the issue of umrah because it involves the issue of religion and the misfortunes of Muslims. MKSU was established to focus primarily on the control of umrah fraud cases by introducing stricter conditions including introducing special licenses or ‘sub licenses’ for tourism companies wishing to offer umrah packages. The minimum price of an umrah package has also been set at RM4900.

Apart from that, the Government has also taken steps to provide information related to umrah, so that public awareness can be increased and cases of umrah fraud can be reduced. Among the steps is to develop an i-umrah portal for local reference related to the selection guide of the umrah organizing agency. JAWHAR has developed this portal which can be used as a reference by the community and Muslims in Malaysia.

Questions and Answers Related to Umrah Management in Malaysia

MKSU was established on 28 August 2014

MKSU is a government initiative that focuses on controlling umrah package fraud cases by introducing stricter conditions including introducing a special license or ‘sub license’ for tourism companies that want to offer umrah packages. The council is led by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (AIP). MKSU is responsible for:

  • Establish a regulatory mechanism for the handling of umrah packages.
  • Plan the implementation of awareness campaigns to the public.
  • Monitor the status of enforcement and investigation of fraud cases in an integrated manner.
  • Monitor the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) provided by MATTA and BUMITRA on the handling of umrah packages.
  • Monitor the implementation of service standards of tour operators and travel agencies in handling umrah packages

MKSU is comprised of various agencies of the association that are involved either directly or indirectly in handling issues related to umrah packages. Council membership is as follows:

 

  • Ministry of Tourism and Culture (KPK) – Chairman
  • Department of Waqf, Zakat and Hajj, Prime Minister’s Department (JAWHAR)
  • Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK)
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN)
  • Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM)
  • Ministry of Transport (MOT)
  • Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)
  • Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC)
  • Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
  • Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH)
  • Malaysian Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (MATTA)
  • Association of Bumiputera Travel and Tourism Agencies (BUMITRA)
  • Other agencies / organizations / organizations as deemed appropriate.

Umrah is an overseas tourism that needs to be licensed under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. Only companies that have an outbound license can sell overseas tourism packages. Outbound license review can be made at:

 

Of all the companies with outbound licenses, as of May 2014, only 59 companies were registered and recognized by the Government of Saudi Arabia to bring Umrah pilgrims from Malaysia. The list of such companies can be found at:

https://umrah.jawhar.gov.my/umrah/

Only licensed travel companies are allowed to sell umrah packages. The Company is subject to AIP 1992 and the Tourism Industry (Tourism Business and Travel Agency Business) Regulations 1992 which should be read together. The Act can be found at:

http://www.agc.gov.my/Akta/Vol.%2010/Akta_482.pdf

 

In addition, the Government of Saudi Arabia as the Custodian of the Two Holy Lands also set their own rules that must be followed by tourism companies that bring Umrah pilgrims. So far, only 59 companies have been registered and recognized by the Government of Saudi Arabia to bring Umrah pilgrims from Malaysia.

 

Umrah pilgrims are advised to refer to the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Licensing Division for verification of a licensed travel company.

In addition, Umrah pilgrims are also advised to check the list of Umrah handling agencies that have been blacklisted:

 http://www.motac.gov.my/en/services/announcement/731-list-of-companies-licenses-revoked-due-to-involvement-in-umrah-package-fraud

When announcing the establishment of MKSU on 28 August 2014, the Honourable Minister of Tourism informed that the minimum price of the umrah package has been set at RM4900. If there is any licensed company that sells packages at a rate below RM4900, the company must refer and obtain approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Licensing Division.

 

 

As a consumer, before any payment for an umrah package is made, Umrah pilgrims must ensure that the company has a valid license issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.

 

 

This license is issued to all licensed tourism companies including 59 companies that have been recognized by the Government of Saudi Arabia. If these licensed companies offer packages below RM4900, users can also refer to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Licensing Division to obtain confirmation

  • Make sure the advertisement is issued by a travel company licensed with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (check the company’s license number, type [inbound/outbound] and validity period)
  • Make sure the price is not less than RM4900. If it is less than this price, get confirmation from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Action under the law among others can be taken under AIP 1992, the Police Act, and the Penal Code. Any complaints/reports must be forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Licensing Division.

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