Tarmizi guarantees slight haj fare increase<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher
\nconfirmed Saturday there would be no significant increase in this
\nyear's haj pilgrimage fare.<\/p>\n
\"The government will put all its efforts into minimizing the
\nimpact of the rupiah's fall against the U.S. dollar so there will
\nbe no increase in the haj pilgrimage fare,\" Tarmizi said as
\nquoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after attending the opening ceremony of
\nthe House of Representatives' (DPR) hearing sessions, Tarmizi
\nsaid the government would take necessary action, including
\ncontrolling the fare, to help smooth the government-organized haj
\npilgrimage to Mecca every year.<\/p>\n
He was commenting on the rupiah's fluctuating currency against
\nthe dollar. Spot rupiah slumped to Rp 2,890 on foreign trading at
\nthe Jakarta Stock Exchange this weekend.<\/p>\n
The U.S. dollar influences the haj pilgrimage fare.<\/p>\n
Although the fare payment is set in rupiah, the government
\npays all expenses in dollars, Tarmizi said.<\/p>\n
Tarmizi, however, failed to describe the government's attempt
\nto prevent the pilgrimage fares hike.<\/p>\n
\"The government will bear all responsibilities for the fare
\nhike,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sources at the ministry of religious affairs predicted the
\ngovernment would announce the new fare at the end of this month
\nor the beginning of next month.<\/p>\n
Tarmizi did not deny the possibility of a fare hike in
\nconnection with the rupiah's depreciation against the dollar.<\/p>\n
\"This year's hike will be no different from last year's
\nincrease of between 4 percent and 5 percent,\" he said. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tarmizi-guarantees-slight-haj-fare-increase-1447893297",
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