KUALA LUMPUR, 29 September 2020 - The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) would want to refer to the online article by Berita Harian entitled “Pilih agensi umrah berdaftar dengan MOTAC (Ministry of Arts, Tourism and Culture) – MATTA” dated 28 September 2020.
At an interview, MATTA Vice President of Umrah and Hajj, Haji Mohd Azri Bin Abd Razak was responding to a question by a reporter from Harian Metro, who asked about the future of Umrah travel as Saudi Arabia will re-open for Umrah in stages and those from other countries would be allowed to do so from 1 November 2020.
In the article, the statement ‘Kami menasihatkan jemaah di negara ini berhati-hati kerana setakat ini, hanya 25 agensi yang diberikan Lesen Khas Umrah (LKU) oleh Majlis Kawal Selia Umrah (MKSU) di bawah MOTAC” is not correct, and was not provided by MATTA Vice President of Umrah and Hajj, Haji Mohd Azri Bin Abd Razak.
Haji Mohd Azri Bin Abd Razak said “MATTA had previously held a briefing session on the new Umrah rules with the Licensing Division of the Ministry on 18 September 2019 and we are very much aware of the current Umrah situation. It was explained to the reporter that the viralled fake news on the list of 25 travel agencies with LKU is old news and is actively spreading on social media.”
“At all times, MATTA will refer to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on the guidelines and information on the travel and tourism industry. With this, MATTA would want to put on record that the article was incorrect and misleading and has caused confusion among members of the public.”
MATTA has written to Berita Harian and The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad to seek for correction on the article immediately to accurately reflect what the Vice President of Umrah and Hajj actually said.
Viralled Fake News on the list of 25 Agencies with the Special Umrah License (LKU)
On a related matter, MATTA would like to refer to the fake news that have spread through social media platform, WhatsApp, on the list of 25 Agencies with the Special Umrah License (LKU) – and reiterate that this is fake news.
The Special Umrah License (LKU), a special condition for local travel and travel agencies conducting umrah, was revoked since 1 September 2019. Instead, LKU was replaced with the addition of another field for Inbound, Outbound, Ticketing and Umrah (IOTU) license under the Licensing Division of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
MATTA is always sensitive and concerned about information or news that can cause public anxiety and worry. Validated information on the Umrah Agency can be obtained at MOTAC’s website at www.motac.gov.my/semakan/umrah.
We advise members of the public to not spread unfounded rumours and false information. The public is reminded to be cautious before disseminating any content which authenticity is in doubt.
HAJI MOHD AZRI BIN ABD RAZAK
Vice President Umrah and Hajj
Term 2019 – 2021
For further information, contact:
MATTA Communications Department, communications@matta.org.my or 03-9222 1155.