SHAH ALAM: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) will collaborate with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police to combat fraudulent haj packages.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the initiative targets online content and advertisements promoting fake haj packages that mislead Muslims intending to perform the pilgrimage.

He said instructions had also been issued to Tabung Haji group managing director and chief executive officer, Datuk Syed Hamadah Syed Othman, to pay closer attention to cases involving fraudulent haj packages.

"At the same time, I urge all prospective pilgrims - whether for haj or umrah - to verify the legitimacy of their travel agents. For umrah, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has a system that lists accredited agents.

"As for haj, we have 37 licensed haj supervisors accredited by Tabung Haji. The public must check these details to avoid being deceived," he said when met after the conclusion of the Selangor-level Premier Haj Course here on Sunday (April 20).

Earlier, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, in his address at the ceremony, reminded Muslims not to exploit one another by offering fraudulent haj packages for profit. His Royal Highness also urged the government to take the issue seriously.

Commenting on Selangor's hajj pilgrims for the year 1446H, Mohd Na'im said that a total of 8,338 pilgrims from the state are expected to perform the pilgrimage this year.

The Hulu Langat district recorded the highest number of pilgrims with 2,771, followed by Petaling (2,593) and Gombak (645).

Other districts include Klang (640), Sepang (452), Kuala Selangor (371), Kuala Langat (330), Hulu Selangor (309), and Sabak Bernam (227). – Bernama