PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA (Stranded pilgrims)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Haji Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Social Affairs whether he is aware that on the 9th and 10th November, 1975, about 300 pilgrims to Mecca were stranded without the promised air flights because of the failure of two travel agencies to provide the aircraft; if he can inform the House of the reasons for such failure on the part of the two travel agencies; and what steps his Ministry and the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura are taking to prevent repetition of such situations in the future so as to avoid great inconvenience and hardship to pilgrims.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Encik Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker. Sir, as in previous years. Haj pilgrims made private arrangements with travel agents to proceed to Mecca by air. It came to the notice of the Ministry a few days before the scheduled departure of two groups of Haj pilgrims that the pilgrimage flights for the 9th and 10th November would be delayed due to the non-availability of the planes. The Ministry immediately initiated investigations. It was found that the two travel agents who were responsible for these two groups of pilgrims, together with other parties responsible for chartering and providing the planes, had mishandled the flight arrangements. In view of the circumstances, the Ministry intervened and, with the assistance of the Singapore International Airlines, arranged a number of SIA flights to transport all the pilgrims to Jeddah in time to perform pilgrimage. Return flights were also arranged for the pilgrims.

In future, all pilgrims whether they intend to travel to Mecca by sea or air, will be required to register at the Pilgrimage Office of the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura, at Em press Place. They will be issued with Pilgrim Passes which will entitle them to medical and welfare services during their pilgrimage. The Ministry is now making plans for pilgrim chartered flights to and from Mecca to be coordinated by MUIS with the assistance of the Singapore International Airlines.