CAP wants Tabung Haji to manage haj programme

GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) yesterday called on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to also take over the management of umrah for pilgrims, without involving the Tourism and Culture Ministry.

CAP president, SM Mohamed Idris in a statement said this was because TH already had the capability and efficiency in managing the haj programme for Malaysian pilgrims and it only needed a latest approach to the existing system to manage umrah as well.

“We urge that the Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535) be amended for matters pertaining to umrah be included in the Act, and we also suggest that Tabung Haji hire more staff and be given management skills training.

“And if required, Tabung Haji should renew the existing system to enable it to handle umrah matters,” he said .

SM Mohamad said CAP believed that getting Tabung Haji to handle umrah matters would be the best way to prevent cheating.

“So, why should a new system, the Integrated Manasik Monitoring System ( IMAMS), be created by a third party ( IMAMS Sdn Bhd) which would only result in pilgrims paying an additional RM90.10 to their umrah package?” he asked.

However, the cancellation of IMAMS was announced by Tourism and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin on Dec 16, just a day after it was launched, following public outcry against the additional cost for umrah. — Bernama