TH ensures quality of products, services
MADINAH: Tabung Haji (TH) monitors the quality of services offered to pilgrims by third-party providers on a regular basis to ensure they meet acceptable standards and add value to pilgrims.
“We focus on the staff on duty, the products and services they provide,” TH manager for ThirdParty Services (Madinah) Mohd Lotfi Kassim told the Malaysian media here.
In terms of parcel delivery, for example, the four vendors for this year’s haj season — Pos Malaysia, Nationwide Express, Shah Cargo Forwarding and Kooperasi Tabung Haji — must operate at least eight hours a day and have a proper schedule.
“The rate for parcels is 16 riyal (RM18.30) per kg for Peninsular Malaysia and 20 riyal per kg for Sabah and Sarawak.
“For the delivery of zamzam water, the rate for a 10-litre bottle is 130 riyal for Peninsular Malaysia and 150 riyal for Sabah and Sarawak.”
Lotfi said last year, more than 335 tonnes of cargo and more than 20,000 bottles of zamzam water,were sent back to Malaysia during haj season.
The figures were expected to be higher this year, with the increase of Malaysia’s haj quota to 30,200 pilgrims.
“There’s no limit to the number of items the pilgrims can send back, except for zamzam water, which is capped at one 10-litre bottle per person,” he said, adding that the standard delivery period was within 14 days.
In the past, said Lotfi, the top items shipped back home by pilgrims were dates, peanuts and their ihram clothes.
The operators provided a variety of box sizes to accommodate the pilgrims’ needs.
“We encourage pilgrims to send back items for their loved ones early through this service so that they will not be burdened or have overweight luggages when they fly back home.”
Caterers, meanwhile, are monitored for their food preparation, cleanliness and efficiency.
Lotfi said spot checks were conducted on the caterers at least twice before the Wukuf and once after. “If the quality is not up to mark, we will issue a warning. If it still does not meet the required standard, we will take action and consider not using their services any more.”