KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 -- The Haj season will begin at the end of this month, with the first flight from Malaysia scheduled for April 29.

As preparations continue, the New Straits Times reported a spike in social media advertisements promoting unlicensed Haj packages using the Mujamalah visa.

"This not only poses significant risks to the public, but could also result in millions of ringgit in losses among victims," said Malaysian Bumiputera Tour Operators Association (Bumitra) president Wan Muhammad Adam Wan Norudin.

"Only seek Haj services from PJH licence holders approved by Tabung Haji," he added.

The Mujamalah visa is issued by the Saudi Arabian government and allows individuals, often linked to Saudi institutions or prominent fig...