MATTA INSURANCE RULING

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) which is currently facing internal problems and bad governance have revealed today that it had imposed mandatory travel insurance on all its members since March 1. Six insurance service providers, namely Ace Jerneh Insurance Bhd, Chartis Malaysia Insurance Bhd, Hong Leong MSIG Takaful Bhd (HLM Takaful), Kurnia Insurance (M) Bhd, Lonpac Insurance (M) Bhd and RHB Insurance Bhd, have been appointed for this purpose. HLM Takaful is the only appointed takaful operator to provide travel takaful for MATTA delegates which means that the company can extend services to MATTA’s haj and umrah delegates. In a statement, MATTA President Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said having an outbound travel insurance coverage when travelling overseas was important as there were many cases of travel agencies becoming insolvent. “When you personally hear cases of consumer’s hard-earned money being absconded, it is very heart-wrenching. And that is why MATTA is ensuring that travel insurance is made mandatory to safeguard the consumer’s wellbeing,” he said. MATTA itself must take insurance coverage to protect itself from a vote of no-confidence and action from members who are not happy with the way this organisation is being managed.