"One Egg For Five People" — 47 Malaysians Forced To Walk To Mecca In Alleged Hajj Scam
The pilgrims had paid RM30,000 each for the Hajj package.
Cover image via A group of 47 Malaysians, mostly elderly, were forced to make a harrowing journey on foot to Mecca after discovering upon arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that their travel agent had failed to arrange valid Hajj visas
Three of the victims who have safely returned to Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday, 15 June.
Image via Bernama/Malay Mail
According to the New Straits Times, the pilgrims were directed to trek illegal and dangerous routes — across rocky hills, deserts, highways, and even barbed wire fences — to avoid detection by Saudi authorities due to their lack of valid documentation.
A family member, Sharifah Azzahra, shared that her elderly parents and aunt left Malaysia on 9 May as part of the group tour, expecting a spiritually fulfilling trip
"I was horrified when my 64-year-old mother, 63-year-old father, and 54-year-old aunt told me via WhatsApp that they were forced to walk along dangerous routes to avoid detection by Saudi authorities, carrying only bare essentials, without food or water," she said.
"To make matters worse, once they reached Mecca, my parents and aunt, along with the rest of the group, were locked up in a small room. They were not allowed to go out, had limited access to food, and no proper medical care.
"They were also subjected to psychological manipulation through religious lectures to discourage them from reacting or lodging complaints," she told the New Straits Times.
The daughter added that the pilgrims had paid RM30,000 each for the Hajj package, and had no way of leaving the tour, as they had no legal travel documents and no knowledge of their whereabouts
The group returned to Malaysia on Sunday, 15 June, revealing the emotional and physical toll of the ordeal to reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
One of the returnees described how food was scarce, forcing the group to ration what little they had.
"We shared one fried egg and two small fish between five people. Two pieces of chicken were divided among seven. When we asked why, the organiser told us to accept our fate and place our trust in God," she said, as quoted by Bernama.
Image via New Straits Times
Police have confirmed receiving three reports from victims' families and that investigations are underway
According to theSun, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali confirmed that an investigation paper has been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
"It is too early to confirm a cross-border fraud. We are gathering statements and evidence to determine whether the syndicate is operating with certain agents or not," he said on Sunday.
Authorities are also working with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), and the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) to blacklist any companies offering unauthorised Hajj packages, pledging strict action against future scams.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali.
Image via Bernama/theSundaily
To verify if your travel agency is authorised to offer Umrah packages, check MOTAC's website here.
