ID :
33526
Tue, 12/02/2008 - 11:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/33526
The shortlink copeid
TOUR AGENCIES HANDLING HAJ PILGRIMS TOLD TO FORM CONSORTIUM
From Zulkifli Salleh
MAKKAH, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- All 31 tour agencies licensed by Tabung Haji (Pilgrims Fund) to handle Malaysian haj pilgrims have been told to form a consortium to strengthen their negotiating power when dealing with lodging owners here and in Madinah.
"By having a consortium, the companies can negotiate in bulk instead of by
retail with the accomodation providers so that the rate of rentals is
reasonable," said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi when visiting over 1,000 private haj pilgrims at a hotel here
Monday.
He said the firms should form the consortium before the next haj season
because rentals for this year's pilgrimage had increased and were expected to go
up next season.
Nevertheless, he said that generally, he was satisfied with the facilities
and services provided by the private agencies handling a total of 9,493
Malaysian haj pilgrims this season.
"If they can maintain the good record, I will instruct the Tabung Haji
management to allow the companies to continue providing the service," he
said.
"Tabung Haji officials are monitoring their facilities and services. If
their services are found to be unsatisfactory, we will remove them from the
list," he said.
Zahid said that actually, Tabung Haji had the capacity to handle all
Malaysian haj pilgrims but wanted to give opportunities for tour agencies to do
so.
"This is especially so for people who want to stay at more comfortable
hotels or nearer to Masjidil Haram and are willing to pay for better facilities
and services," he said.
He said Tabung Haji gave opportunities to all tour agencies in Malaysia to
apply for the licence to handle private haj pilgrims but he could not guarantee
that every applicant would be successful.
At another hotel hosting another group of Malaysian haj pilgrims, Zahid
said Tabung Haji counters had collected "dam" (penalties) totalling RM8 million
(US$2.2 million) from the pilgrims so far.
"Another RM1.38 million (US$380,503) have been collected from the pilgrims
who want to perform the sacrifice ritual in the Holy Land," he said.
He also said 20 Malaysian haj pilgrims had died in the Holy Land due to
pre- existing chronic illnesses or old age.
MAKKAH, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- All 31 tour agencies licensed by Tabung Haji (Pilgrims Fund) to handle Malaysian haj pilgrims have been told to form a consortium to strengthen their negotiating power when dealing with lodging owners here and in Madinah.
"By having a consortium, the companies can negotiate in bulk instead of by
retail with the accomodation providers so that the rate of rentals is
reasonable," said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi when visiting over 1,000 private haj pilgrims at a hotel here
Monday.
He said the firms should form the consortium before the next haj season
because rentals for this year's pilgrimage had increased and were expected to go
up next season.
Nevertheless, he said that generally, he was satisfied with the facilities
and services provided by the private agencies handling a total of 9,493
Malaysian haj pilgrims this season.
"If they can maintain the good record, I will instruct the Tabung Haji
management to allow the companies to continue providing the service," he
said.
"Tabung Haji officials are monitoring their facilities and services. If
their services are found to be unsatisfactory, we will remove them from the
list," he said.
Zahid said that actually, Tabung Haji had the capacity to handle all
Malaysian haj pilgrims but wanted to give opportunities for tour agencies to do
so.
"This is especially so for people who want to stay at more comfortable
hotels or nearer to Masjidil Haram and are willing to pay for better facilities
and services," he said.
He said Tabung Haji gave opportunities to all tour agencies in Malaysia to
apply for the licence to handle private haj pilgrims but he could not guarantee
that every applicant would be successful.
At another hotel hosting another group of Malaysian haj pilgrims, Zahid
said Tabung Haji counters had collected "dam" (penalties) totalling RM8 million
(US$2.2 million) from the pilgrims so far.
"Another RM1.38 million (US$380,503) have been collected from the pilgrims
who want to perform the sacrifice ritual in the Holy Land," he said.
He also said 20 Malaysian haj pilgrims had died in the Holy Land due to
pre- existing chronic illnesses or old age.
