SEPANG, June 2 — Haj pilgrims stranded in Makkah for a month expressed their appreciation to the Madani government for bringing them home safely.
Speaking to reporters after arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 here today, a retiree who only wanted to be known as Mohammad said the assistance provided by the government eased the process and procedures to ensure his safe return home.
“I wish to thank the government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said briefly.
Mohamad, 60, and his wife Ju, 58, arrived at KLIA Terminal 2 at 7pm via a flight from Singapore.
The media recently reported that a married couple were stranded in Makkah and appealed for help after their tourist agency refused to return their passports and allow them to return to Malaysia.
Their third child, Ena, 33, said due to her parents’ poor health, she contacted the Malaysian Consulate General in Jeddah on Wednesday to seek help.
She said her mother has suffered from high blood pressure and a weak heart for the past five years.
“I started contacting the Consular’s office in Jeddah to explain the situation faced by her parents and about 300 other victims.
“The office was very helpful and kept providing daily updates, including sending their pictures and their progress to me,” said Ena, who is a legal adviser.
Ena said the Consular General’s office in Jeddah had dealt with the tour agency, urging it to return their passports and manage the cost of their return.
“Praise be to God, they finally left Jeddah yesterday and transited in Singapore before leaving for KLIA today,” she said, adding that her parents left for Makkah on May 2.
Ena added that she had lodged a police report and gave her statement to the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Lembaga Tabung Haji and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission regarding the incident.
— Bernama
