Editor’s Note: Siti Kasim has reacted with furore the involvement of a religious figure who allegedly scammed 47 elderly Malaysian pilgrims while claiming how they deceived their victims with their scull caps and robes.
“The worse kind of people are the ones that use religion to make their fortune,” fumed the human rights activist and lawyer in her recent Facebook post.
“And there are plenty of them around in Malaysia. Wearing their skull caps and their robes with the black marks on their foreheads, they become a symbol of piety when some of them are devils in disguise.
“I totally despise these people and I’m certain they will rot in hell! Despicable!”
FOR many, performing the Haj pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where years of toil are needed to fork out for the expenses.
So imagine the shock and outrage of Malaysians upon hearing the news that 47 senior citizens had allegedly fallen victim to a Haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure.
These unfortunate victims were allegedly blackmailed and held against their will along with having to trek through dangerous routes to avoid detection by the authorities or worse, to make do without food or water.
Reacting to the widely publicised scam, digital creator JalalMisai (@jllmisai) asked just who was this “well-known religious figure?” And why was the advertisement blurred out in the media reports?
Siapa agamawan terkenal tu..? Kenapa kaburkan poster iklan haji tu..?
Jemaah dah bayar RM30k tapi dapat layanan macam pelarian di tempat orang.. https://t.co/kPidbuqQvC
— JalalMisai (@jllmisai) June 14, 2025
“Pilgrims paid up to RM30,000 but only to be treated like refugees in a foreign land,” lamented the poster who cited a Berita Harian news report on the apparent scam.
One netizen wanted the relevant individual to be named and shamed while pointing out that these sorts of cases could lead to wider ramifications. Not least the Saudi authorities could reduce the quota for Malaysians because the reported scam breached haj visa ruling.
Some commenters contended that both the scammer and religious influencer were Malay and their identities had not yet been revealed.
They wondered where were those who constantly played the race card claiming that “non-Malay crooks were a protected lot” given that the alleged Malay criminals in this case were not exposed”?
It was also argued that whenever a VVIP is allegedly linked to a scandal, their identities are shrouded in mystery. On the contrary, the ordinary Joe will be roundly named and shamed.
One commenter wondered if such is democratic practice considering that senior leaders of the country who are majority Muslims have remained silent on this issue.
Another surmised that perhaps the tell-tale sign that the package was a scam was its lower than usual price.
Reporting on the same news, Buletin TV3 (@BuletinTV3) quoted a relative of some of the victims who claimed that the senior citizens were “psychological manipulated”.
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This made the calls to reveal the identities of the scammers even louder.
Thankfully, one netizen furnished the original advertisement which was blurred by Berita Harian for netizens to judge for themselves.
One netizen warned this will lead the erosion of trust for the clergy and religious influencers.
Always go through the Pilgrimage Funds Board a.k.a. Tabung Haji was the advice of one commenter. No need to resort to external sources and be at risk of such scams.
There are probably a slew of legal implications preventing the media from exposing the identities of the alleged scammers. But what of the cops?
According to Bernama, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim’s next of kin – two in Mantin (Negeri Sembilan) and one in Ayer Hitam (Johor).
Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Tabung Haji and the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering Haj packages without approval so as to prevent people from becoming victims.
But surely there should be no reason why the cops cannot issue a statement and reveal the relevant suspects. Why the delay? – June 16, 2025
