PUTRAJAYA: For Sahira Syarafana Shahidan, 26, from Baling, Kedah, the dream of performing umrah turned into a nightmare when her hard-earned savings were lost to a travel agency scam.
“I am heartbroken that the money I saved from my small fried chicken business disappeared instantly,” said Sahira, one of 26 victims stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last Thursday. The agency failed to provide flights, accommodation, or visas for the group.
Sahira had chosen a budget plan costing RM4,500, recommended by a friend, and paid a total of RM20,900 for five people, including her husband, father-in-law, and two children. Despite completing her payments, her excitement for the pilgrimage quickly turned into heartbreak.
“Since the incident, I’ve felt angry and sad, knowing I have to start saving from scratch, especially with my seasonal business,” she said.
The pilgrims, stranded at KLIA, were devastated to find their travel arrangements had been falsified. Many, including Sahira, have filed police reports, hoping for justice and a refund.
Julia, 22, from Bentong, Pahang, shared a similar ordeal. After saving for two years to take her parents on umrah, she discovered at KLIA that their tickets and visas were fake, leaving her devastated.
