Jailani (third left) looks on as a Pos Malaysia staff dons a duty jacket signifying work during the haj season. Also present is Shukrie (right) and other official directors from Pos Malaysia and DRB-Hicom Bhd. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd expects to rake in RM3.5 million in revenue from its services provided to Malaysian pilgrims during the current haj season this year from RM3 million last year.
Group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh said its courier arm, Pos Laju, is expected to handle 255,000 kilograms (kg) of goods and baggage from the pilgrims compared with 217,000 kg last year.
“The opening of more counters in Makkah and Medina, as well as continuous promotional activities carried out by Pos Laju, would have a positive impact, while this year’s standard of services is expected to surpass that of last year.
“We have increased the number of hotels to house Pos Laju’s services to seven from five last year’s,” he told reporters at the launch of Pos Malaysia’s Haj Baggage Service yesterday.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari was present.
Mohd Shukrie said Pos Malaysia would charge SR14 or RM14 per kg for transportation of goods to Peninsular Malaysia and SR19 or RM19 per kg for goods sent to Sabah and Sarawak.
“Malaysian pilgrims can also dispatch Zamzam water for RM115 per 10-litre bottle to Peninsular Malaysia and RM135 per 10-litre to Sabah and Sarawak.
“I would like to advise our pilgrims to dispatch their goods early so that the delivery could be made before the day of Wukuf (grand assembly at the Arafah Plain),” he added.
Pos Malaysia is deploying 35 employees from Aug 3 to Oct 21 to Makkah and Medina and they will be stationed at the seven hotels, including Al Wafideen and Rawdhat Al Shouroq in Makkah, and Al Haram Hotel in Medina.
On the proposed acquisition of Airport Services Sdn Bhd and an industrial land in Shah Alam from DRB-Hicom, Mohd Shukrie said it is expected to be completed in early September.
He said an extraordinary shareholders meeting would be held on Aug 18 to seek shareholders’ approval for the exercise. — Bernama