PILGRIMS TOLD TO KEEP BRACELET, TAG SAFE
Steel bracelet, identification tag must be kept with them at all times, says TH official
MALAYSIAN haj pilgrims must keep two important items given to them by Tabung Haji — a steel bracelet and an identification tag — safe as they contain information.
In previous years, these were the top two items often misplaced by pilgrims, resulting in time and effort wasted to replace them.
TH cautioned pilgrims not to lose them when they were out and about fulfilling their religious obligations.
TH operations director here Datuk Ahmad Sohaimi Abd Rahim said the identification tag had a similar function to the pilgrims’ passport and contained information.
It is used for cash withdrawals at TH financial counters here.
“As pilgrims do not have their passports with them, it is integral that they have their identification tag.
“The tag, together with the bracelet, enables others to identify us as Malaysian pilgrims,” he said at the TH headquarters, Abraj Al-Janadriyah.
He said there were customer service centres at the accommodation of pilgrims, and they could come and seek help or lodge complaints and reports.
“We will try to solve the complaints. If it is a simple issue, we will resolve it immediately. If it is moderate, for example, issues with the air-conditioning, location of accommodation or food, we will solve it in three days. If it is a serious problem, which is rare, it will be our priority until it is resolved.”
Sohaimi said there were different codes for each type of complaint.
“We have 17 codes and we categorise each complaint under them. They will be compiled to see whether there is a trend or recurrent problem, and we will work to ensure there is improvement in future.”
He said pilgrims would be grouped under 12 maktab, with each indicated by the colour of its lanyards.
The 12 maktab occupy 18 apartment buildings about 600m to 950m away from the Grand Mosque.
The apartments are placed in four zones to streamline their management and operations.
For those performing umrah or the minor haj for the first time, an additional lanyard would be given to them, said Sohaimi.
“This will ease the identification of pilgrims and allow TH patrol teams stationed at the Grand Mosque to help those who have strayed from their groups to find their way back.”