M'sian Couple Stranded In Mecca Says Travel Agency Confiscated Their Passports
The travel agency allegedly threatened to sue the couple if they complained.
A Malaysian couple who went to Mecca to perform the Hajj have found themselves stranded after their travel agency allegedly issued them the wrong visas and is refusing to return their passports
According to the couple's daughter, who wishes to be known as Ena, her father, 60, and mother, 58, left for Mecca on 2 May using tourist visas to perform the Hajj, reported Berita Harian.
She said her father contacted her today, 28 May, and told her that the travel agency, based in Seri Kembangan, failed to provide the promised Haji Mujamalah visas issued by Saudi Arabia for performing the Hajj.
Ena's father also claimed that the travel agency is now attempting to withdraw from managing the couple, fearing that Saudi Arabian authorities will detain the couple for not having the correct visas.
The travel agency has also pressured the couple to sign a document saying it wasn't their fault and not to disclose the matter to the public
"The travel agency also threatened to sue if my parents blamed the agency for what happened.
"I advised my parents not to sign the letter as it appears to be an attempt by the travel agency to escape responsibility for their wrongdoing," Berita Harian quoted the daughter as saying.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that there are at least 16 more potential pilgrims stranded in Mecca, all of them using the same travel agency and facing similar visa issues.
These pilgrims paid RM45,000 each for their packages.
Image via Berita Harian
Ena has since lodged a police report against the travel agency
It is alleged that the agency is being operated by a married couple.
Ena is also seeking assistance from Tabung Haji (TH) to help her parents return home.
"I am willing to cooperate with the authorities to provide information about the travel agency to prevent more victims from being deceived in the future," she added.
Earlier this month, it was reported that thousands of Malaysian pilgrims are stranded in Mecca and Medina after they were allegedly deceived by tour and travel agencies:
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