Malaysian travel company Konsortium refunds up in the air after sudden closure

In what has become a shock to so many, Malaysian coach company Konsortium suddenly closed its doors to its Golden Mile office just today, February 22. The report came from the Straits Times Singapore today. It isn’t known if the Konsortium refunds process will go smoothly.

Several patrons and even business partners were surprised to see the office locked and the lights turned off. A notice was taped to the door that said the company was experiencing a financial crisis and that all the trips and operations were ceasing immediately.

Here is the full text of the message:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

WE ARE SORRY TO INFORM THAT THE COMPANY HAVE WENT INTO FINANCIAL CRISIS AND WILL CEASE OPERATION ON ALL SERVICES WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

TO THE AFFECTED PASSENGERS WITH UNFULFILLED TRIPS, PLEASE MAKE CLAIM FROM YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE (IF ANY) OR REFER TO SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL TO LODGE YOUR REFUND.

WE ARE DEEPLY APOLOGETIC FOR THE SUDDEN CLOSURE AND WE SEEK YOUR FORGIVENESS.

The same notice also told customers to start the process of claiming their travel insurance or to file a claim at the small claims tribunal for a refund.

At the end of the notice, it said, “We are deeply apologetic for the sudden closure and we seek your forgiveness.”

Here is an advertisement they ran online that was dated just last January 6:

Surprise and shock

Members of the Express and Excursion Bus Association have stepped up to provide free trips to Konsortium ticket buyers and those who are travelling to Malaysia from today until March 1.

The same members said in an interview with The Straits Times that, “Our focus is on helping any affected travellers the best we can.”

The number of people affected by the closure is still unknown, but Konsortium is one of the biggest coach companies in Singapore so a lot of travellers are expected to turn up for refunds and assistance.

Several other executives in the coach industry said that they knew of Konsortium’s financial troubles, but a story was published last month that Konsortium had sold out all its tours for Chinese New Year. More details revealed that the agency was driving four times more buses than in previous years.

Read about the latest Lucky Plaza scam.

What if you have a pending ticket with Konsortium?

According to the same report, affected travellers can go to the following for assistance:

Grassland Express & Tours

Lapan Lapan Travel

Sri Maju Tours & Travel

Transtar Travel

WTS Travel & Tours

or call 62988245

Header image from VIP COACH