Easier to deal with TH
Haj board innovating ways to expand its services, especially through electronic media
FARHANA SYED NOKMAN KUALA LUMPUR farhanasyed@nst.com.my
TABUNG Haji (TH) is diversifying its operations for the benefit of its nine million depositors all over the country. TH chief operating officer Datuk Adi Azuan Abdul Ghani said as Malaysia is experiencing technological advancements, TH wants its depositors to have a comfortable and convenience experience in using its services.
“Among the efforts taken to improvise and improve TH’s services is to switch from conventional transactions to focus on electronic services. We want depositors to be able to make transactions without the need to go to TH offices.
“We have also been collaborating with Bank Islam and Bank Rakyat since 2008, where depositors can make transactions at the counters, automated teller machines and cash deposit machines,” he said, adding that Maybank had joined the initiative in 2010.
With these continuous efforts by TH, depositors can enjoy its services at more than 6,000 touch points all over the country.
“Our aim is to increase the touch points to 10,000 by 2019,” he told the New Straits Times.
Moving forward, Adi said TH has developed its own website called e-THiJARI, where depositors can access any time at anywhere.
“Through this website, depositors can update their profile, make transfers, check their account balance and obtain their statements.”
Those using smartphones can download TH’s app called MyQTH, which gives a number to depositors who want to do transactions at TH branches.
This, he said, is an efficient way as depositors can plan their day without coming to TH branches early to queue up and wait for their turn. He claimed that the queue management app is a first of its kind in the country.
“Through the app, depositors can get their numbers from the app and get notified on the current serving number. This way, they do not have to waste their time.”
To serve depositors in rural areas, TH has brought its TH Community to their doorstep by setting up its community mobile branches.
They comprise vans that will make regular rounds.
“This mobile branches are unique because we are using satellite connection. Therefore, even in remote areas, real-time transactions can be done.
“These mobile branches will come according to schedule and we have received positive feedback from depositors,” he said.
To give a new, clean image to TH, Adi said a number of branches have been renovated, with more in the pipeline to inject new energy into its brand.
“We want the new image to produce energetic vibes so that the working atmosphere will be more enjoyable for our staff and, at the same time, customers can also feel comfortable.
“We also received positive feedback from depositors on the renovation,” he said while announcing the opening of another three branches in Jeli in Kelantan, Kudat in Sabah, and Sepang in Selangor.
On another development, a new TH complex will be built by next year.
“It will replace the Kelana Jaya complex to solve the congestion that has been going on for years, especially during haj season, which is causing discomfort to pilgrims. The complex is now 80 per cent complete.
“The facilities include a 333-room syariah-compliant hotel managed by Movenpick, and a hall that can accommodate up to 1,500 people on a 6.9ha land.”
Adi urged depositors not to delay registering for the haj.
“Many thought that once they became TH depositors, they will automatically get in line to perform the haj. They do not know that they actually have to register first.
“To be eligible, they need a minimum of RM1,300 in their accounts and the money cannot be withdrawn.
“If they don’t have enough money, they can do their haj registration using their Employees’ Provident Fund savings at all TH, Bank Islam and Bank Rakyat branches.
“During the haj registration, depositors have to bring along their EPF statements.”
Adi said the waiting line had been reduced to 94 years due to the increase of quota by the Saudi government.
Those who have performed the haj need to wait another five years before they can register again.
“We do not encourage Muslims in Malaysia to perform haj many times as we need to give the chance to those who have not done so.”
Adi said currently, 51 per cent of Muslims in the country are TH depositors and he hopes the percentage will increase to 60 by 2021.
“And, from that figure, only 26 per cent have registered for haj.”
With a vision to provide the best services, TH is innovating to introduce more online services.
Time-keeping is an essential factor that TH strives to improve among its staff.
“At our branches, each counter has a key performance index. Each transaction needs to be done at a maximum of three minutes. This ensures that depositors receive efficient service from us,” he said
Those who want to open a TH account can do so at all TH, Bank Islam and Bank Rakyat branches. They can also do it at www.e-Thijari.com.my, www.maybank2u.com.my and www.iRakyat.com.my.
We want the new image to produce energetic vibes so that the working atmosphere will be more enjoyable for our staff and, at the same time, customers can also feel comfortable.