Editor's note: The Imams programme has been cancelled.

All 65 tourism agencies with the status of muassasah (agency handling umrah) in the country who have the Umrah Special License (LKU) are required to use the Integrated Manasik Monitoring System (Imams) for umrah visa applications effective today.

Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the implementation of Imams, which was the sole official access for umrah visa applications to be processed by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Malaysia, was aimed at curbing umrah package fraud in the country.

"The failure of the agencies managing umrah packages to comply with this directive will result in stringent action by the ministry and can cause their operating licence to be cancelled,” she told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Mas Ermieyati said the Imams system was comprehensive, integrated and compatible with the Saudi government system allowing it to be directly linked to the country’s Foreign Ministry for umrah visa applications.

The implementation of Imams involved charges at a rate of RM45 for each pilgrim, which was the lowest in the world compared to other countries that adopted such systems, like Jordan, Egypt and Sudan.

Mas Ermieyati said the Imams system could also ensure that every pilgrim was covered by umrah takaful (insurance) with comprehensive coverage at a reasonable premium rate of RM40 per pilgrim.

“The rate is the lowest in the market for comprehensive travel takaful scheme which meets the ministry's requirements.

"In summary, the overall charge involved in the use of the Imams system and should be included in the existing umrah price for each pilgrim, is RM90.10 - including GST RM5.10."

She said the ministry had agreed to grant an exemption on the processing fee payment to 65 tourism agencies with muassasah status for an umrah visa application which had received the E-MOFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia number on and before Dec 15

Explaining the system, she said a database and master monitoring process on the handling of the umrah package was created which was also integrated with the database of Registered Umrah Marketing Officers.

Imams' one-stop local call service centre also operated 24 hours at 1800-88-4626 or 03-22424440.

Umrah pilgrims and their family members could also get help directly by visiting the website support.imams.com.my or by e-mailing enquiries to [email protected].

- Bernama