Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak says he disagrees with the implementation of the Integrated Manasik Monitoring System (Imams) to manage visas for umrah, or minor pilgrimages to Mecca.

The initiative, introduced by the Tourism and Culture Ministry yesterday, was abruptly cancelled today following public backlash.

"I disagree with the Imams system being used for Umrah visas. The announcement to cancel it is the right one," Najib tweeted.

Imams was meant to be compulsory for the umrah visa application process, and would have been imposed on all 65 tourism agencies that handle umrah in Malaysia.

The system was aimed at curbing umrah package frauds.

Using the Imams system would have incurred an overall charge of RM90.10 per pilgrim, comprising RM45 for using Imams, RM40 for a comprehensive umrah takaful insurance scheme, and GST.

Following the launch, members of the public began voicing concerns that one of Imams' top executives was a non-Muslim.

Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin told a press conference today that she was unaware that this was the case.