PRIME Minister Najib Razak tweeted his disapproval of the Integrated Manasik Monitoring System (IMAMS), which was put in place yesterday to process visa applications for umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The system was canceled today after drawing flak from various groups over concerns that included the non-Muslim management of the company managing the system.

“I do not agree with IMAMS’ implementation on umrah pilgrims. The announcement to cancel was timely,” the prime minister posted on Twitter while in Bahrain.

Under the system, all visa applications for umrah will be processed by the Saudi Arabian embassy, a measure aimed to curb fraud.

The system was meant to be compulsory for umrah visa applications and would have been imposed on all 65 tourism agencies that handle umrah in Malaysia.

Pilgrims will have to pay RM90.10 each for the application, which includes takaful (insurance), system charges and goods and services tax (GST).

Critics of the system, which included the Umrah and Haj Tourism Agencies Association (Papuh), said it was unreasonable as there were existing visa application systems which were free and cheaper insurance options. – December 16, 2017.