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Gov't to replace Imams with '100pct Muslim mechanism'
Published:  Dec 16, 2017 10:00 PM
Updated: 2:29 PM

The government will be replacing the umrah visa management system it scrapped today, with one that is "100 percent Muslim".

"The new mechanism will be more efficient... and will not burden consumers. The (Tourism and Culture) Ministry assures that the new mechanism will be 100 percent Muslim," deputy minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (photo) was quoted as saying by Bernama.

"We take this sensitive issue seriously," she added at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

The deputy tourism minister had earlier announced that the cancellation of the Integrated Manasik Monitoring System (Imams) to manage visas for umrah, or minor pilgrimages to Mecca.

This followed public backlash over the system, with concerns being raised over the non-Muslim chief operating officer of the system's managing company.

Other criticisms included the imposition of the goods and services tax (GST) on pilgrims.

Mas Ermieyati said GST exemption would be considered for the new system.

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.

It 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.

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