MAKKAH: Lembaga Tabung Haji continuously monitors 25 travel companies licensed as Haj Pilgrimage Operators (PJH) to accompany pilgrims from the planning to implementation stages, ensuring the highest standard of service to the pilgrims.
PJH operations director Anuar Ahmad said the monitoring process begins with operations within the homeland to the Holy Land, including coordination of chartered flights, accommodation arrangements in Madinah and Makkah, and tent placements during Masyair.
"We, in the PJH operations department, need to make sure that every ringgit taken from these pilgrims reflects the money they invest and pay to PJH.
"This is the main role of the PJH operations department in terms of adjustment and monitoring to ensure that all Malaysian pilgrims get the best service regardless of whether they perform the haj through TH or PJH," he told the TH media officer at the TH headquarters here recently.
This year, he said, 26 per cent of Malaysian pilgrims chose to perform the fifth pillar of Islam through PJH, and they were among those who were financially stable.
This is because each package offered by PJH typically ranges from RM50,000 to RM200,000, depending on the flight class, hotel distance from the mosque and meal provisions.
Anuar said all documentation, including passports and visas, will be fully handled by TH.
"There are no concerns there, and God willing, they can go with PJH and be guaranteed of fulfilling their goal.
"This is because to apply for this PJH licence, they must undergo strict screening and tests. Otherwise, their licence can be revoked," he said.
All licensed companies have to agree to terms and conditions and every year they must reapply to ensure that each PJH is at its best.
Anuar also said there was no such thing as queue cutting among pilgrims because the offer is actually made to eligible pilgrims who are already included in the quota of 31,600 pilgrims.
"Then they will choose whether to remain as muassasah pilgrims or choose a package.
"Those who are eligible will receive muassasah offers and then they can choose whether to stay with PJH or remain with the muassasah.
"It means you have to be eligible first and the turn cannot be bought or sold," he said, adding that appeals may be made directly through THijari when it opens.