PUTRAJAYA, March 11 — Travel companies and agencies managing umrah packages must take responsibility for bringing home pilgrims stranded due to the conflict in West Asia if the pilgrims travelled through their services, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The relevant organisations should also arrange to reschedule the pilgrims’ return flights.
He said the government is prioritising efforts to assist Malaysians stranded overseas, particularly those trapped at airports while in transit on their way home.
“Those who travelled through travel agents must be brought back by the agents. If the ticket is with Malaysia Airlines (MAS), MAS must bring them home. If it is an AirAsia ticket, AirAsia must do so, and if it is Batik Air, Batik Air must also bring them back.
“Normal flights have resumed. If pilgrims can show confirmation of their tickets, it is the responsibility of the airline to bring back those who have paid. It cannot be left to the Malaysian government alone,” Mohamad said during a media conference after a ceremony to present contributions to the Palestinian People’s Humanitarian Trust Fund today.
He added that three groups of Malaysians were affected by the airspace closures in several West Asian countries.
The first group comprises Malaysians stranded at airports in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain after transiting to flights back to Kuala Lumpur.
“We are prioritising those who have been stranded at airports for three to five days while waiting for their return flights,” Mohamad said.
The second group comprises Malaysians who travelled to perform Umrah independently, while the third comprises Malaysians who live, work, or reside in the countries concerned.
Nevertheless, the government is assisting independent Umrah pilgrims and who were left without any travel management.
The group is being temporarily accommodated at Tabung Haji facilities, with food provided while arrangements are made for their return flights.
“The number is not large, about 500 to 600 people who travelled for Umrah independently and are now stranded,” he said.
Tensions in West Asia have reportedly escalated since February 28, following a series of attacks by Israel and the United States (US) on Iran, followed by retaliatory strikes by Tehran against US interests in Gulf countries.
