Govt, House avoid hike in haj fee<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: The government and House of Representatives
\nCommission VI for human resources and religious affairs agreed on
\nThursday to reduce, or at least to maintain, the haj fee for next
\nseason.<\/p>\n
The agreement was reached during a hearing with Director
\nGeneral of Islamic and Haj Affairs Taufiq Kamil, which was
\npresided over by the commission's deputy chairwoman, Chodidjah.<\/p>\n
The two parties, however, failed to set the new haj fee,
\nsaying that would require more deliberation.<\/p>\n
\"Like last season, the haj fee for next season will be in US
\ndollars, regarding the air fare from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia
\nand accommodations during the stay in the Arab country,\"
\nChodidjah said.<\/p>\n
The next haj season will take place from mid-January to mid-
\nFebruary, 2003.<\/p>\n
Taufiq said that to put a cap on the haj fee, the Ministry of
\nReligious Affairs had asked the government for a US$5.78 million
\nsubsidy, which would exempt pilgrims from paying for any indirect
\nservices.<\/p>\n
Last season, Indonesians joining the haj paid between $2,577
\nand $2,777, depending on their place of residence.<\/p>\n
The government is expecting to register 205,000 haj pilgrims
\nfor the next season, up from last season's 196,800. -- Antara<\/p>",
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