BINTULU, Jan. 8 -- It is now a mandatory requirement for all travel agencies offering umrah packages to have a bank guarantee, said DatukSeri Tiong King Sing.

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture said he has directed the immediate implementation of the requirement following the latest incident where 36 umrah pilgrims were left stranded in Madinah after their travel agency allegedly failed to provide accommodation and return flight tickets as promised.

According to Tiong, the pilgrims, including elderly individuals and children, had each paid RM7,600 in full to the company.

However, he said they were left with financial and emotional distress when the agency failed to fulfil its basic obligations, forcing the group to seek public d...