Firm to refund over RM40,000 for trip that never happened

A FAMILY of three was supposed to spend two weeks performing umrah in Mecca and Medina during Ramadan.

However, their journey to Saudi Arabia did not take place as scheduled on March 30, so businessman Ahmad Rustami Ramley brought the matter to the Johor Baru Consumer Claims Tribunal.

He had paid RM40,470.50 or RM13,490.16 for each person in two instalments to the Johor Baru branch of a tour company with its headquarters in Putrajaya.

“The first payment was made last October and by January this year we had settled the amount in full,” he said when met, adding that he had planned to travel with his wife Rugaiah Ahmad Basri and their son Adila Ahmad Rustami.

The claimant from Bandar Baru Uda in Johor Baru, said the company had created a WhatsApp group comprising 30 participants from all over the country for the umrah trip.

“We only communicated via messages and were told that we would depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport for Saudi Arabia on March 30,’’ said Ahmad Rustami.

The claimant said they did not go to the airport as they already knew something was amiss.

Usually a travel agency would ask for their passports to process the visa applications.

“We have performed umrah several times with other travel agents and normally our visas will be approved a month or two before the trips,’’ said Ahmad Rustami.

The claimant tried to contact the company many times for clarification, but they did not answer calls or messages.

His son even went to the company’s Putrajaya headquarters but it was closed.

Asked why he had chosen the company despite having performed umrah with other travel agents, Ahmad Rustami said several of his friends had recommended the firm based on their experiences while in Saudi Arabia.

When told that there were many cases involving the same company failing to send umrah pilgrims despite getting money from them, the claimant said he had not been aware of that.

“We would not have fallen victim if we had known about cases involving the same company,” said Ahmad Rustami.

It was reported in April that Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) suspended the licence of the company, a haj pilgrimage operator.

TH in a statement said the decision was taken following several complaints.

Tribunal president Mohd Zahirullah Mohd Taib ordered the respondent, who was present at the hearing, to return RM40,470.10 to the claimant in four instalments of RM10,117.50, starting from Aug 7.

Those who need assistance with regard to tribunal matters can call 07-227 1755/1766.