Travel agent ordered to return deposit for cancelled umrah package
A LOGISTICS executive said she and her family suffered losses when they were unable to proceed with the umrah package offered by a Putrajaya-based travel agent.
They had paid a deposit for their umrah package last year, but ended up travelling with a different company when the travel agent was unable to honour their deal.
Mazbi Yahya said she was supposed to perform the umrah with nine other family members on the original package, and depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Nov 26, 2023.
“Our group booked a 12-day, 10-night umrah package with the Putrajaya-based travel agent, priced at RM8,990 each.
“This brought the total sum to RM89,990.
“We paid a RM46,000 deposit for the trip in January last year and the balance of RM43,990 was supposed to be paid in July,’’ the 48-year-old claimant said when met outside the Johor Baru Consumer Claims Tribunal.
Mazbi said she then enquired with the travel agent in March 2023 on the departure date for Saudi Arabia, visa application required and itinerary for Mecca and Medina.
“We did not get any replies from them and were left in the dark on whether our trip could take place as scheduled,’’ she said.
The claimant said the group was fortunate as one of the company’s employees later advised them to put their plans on hold.
Mazbi said the employee even reminded them not to pay the remaining RM43,990 to the company.
“The employee informed us that things were not looking good as the company was having financial problems and failing to send those who had booked similar umrah packages with them.
“We decided to cancel our booking and sent the company a letter dated August 15, 2023, requesting that they return our deposit,’’ said Mazbi, who is from Bandar Seri Alam, Pasir Gudang.
However, the claimant said efforts to contact the company were futile. Calls to the office in Putrajaya went unanswered and there was no response to messages sent via Whatsapp.
The group decided to proceed with their umrah trip in late November 2023 with a different company.
The package that they booked with the Johor Baru-based travel agent cost them RM77,000 in total.
Tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli ordered the respondent, who did not attend the hearing, to return the RM46,000 deposit to the claimant within two weeks.
Those needing assistance on tribunal matters, can call 07-227 1755/1766.