Canceled haj pilgrims will be reimbursed

Canceled haj pilgrims will be reimbursed

JAKARTA (JP): The government, consoling the thousands of
frustrated prospective pilgrims who have had to cancel their
journey to Mecca this year, promised yesterday to simplify
procedures for reimbursement.

Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said in his radio
message to officials under his ministry that the government will
reimburse in full the fees already paid by prospective pilgrims
on the waiting list.

In addition, "the prospective pilgrims on the waiting list
will be given top priority for next year's haj season," Tarmizi
promised.

Bank officials have been ordered not to deduct any
cancellation fees from the Rp 7 million that each pilgrim has
paid.

Tarmizi also said that those who choose to leave their money
in the banks will be given top priority and not have to pay the
difference in next year's haj fees.

The haj fees are usually increased every year.

Tarmizi said that based on an agreement between the central
bank, Bank Indonesia, and the state-owned banks authorized to
manage the fees, every prospective pilgrim wishing to have their
money back would have to request it.

The letter will have to be certified by local officials in
charge of coordinating haj affairs and accompanied by bank
receipts stating that a full payment has been made.

Legislator A.M. Saefuddin of the Moslem-based United
Development Party welcomed the government's promise but urged it
to issue clear directives.

He reminded the government that their offer was not exactly a
"gift" for Moslems who have had to suffer enough disappointment.

"There's no need for the government to say that the pilgrims
who decide to deposit their money in the bank will not have to
pay more next year," he said.

He pointed out that the interest earned by the banks, which
rightfully belongs to the pilgrims, should be plenty to cover the
increase in next year's fees.

"The government should make it clear that it's not giving
anything to the pilgrims," he said. "The government should just
give the people an honest explanation."

In addition, the government should not link the decision to
give pilgrims top priority with their decision to take their
money back, he said.

"Everybody who's on the waiting list should be given top
priority to go next year," he said.

A total of 231,000 Moslems registered to go to Mecca, Saudi
Arabia, this year. Out of the surprisingly high number, some
36,000 people have been put on the waiting list as Indonesia has
only been allowed to send 195,000 people. (swe)