Govt announces increase in haj pilgrimage cost

JAKARTA (JP): The government has cited currency adjustments and improved accommodations in the 16.60 percent increase in the individual fee for next year's haj pilgrimage.

The Rp 8,805,000 (US$3,200) cost is inclusive of round-trip airfare to Saudi Arabia, accommodation, food, spending money and a Rp 50,000 allowance towards domestic transportation costs from points of arrival in Indonesia to hometowns. Registration opens Sept. 1.

The director general for guidance of Moslem and haj affairs, Ahmad Gozali, said yesterday the increase over last year's Rp 7,551,000 fee was due to adjustment in the rupiah's exchange rate against the U.S. dollar, improvements in accommodation in Mecca and an increase in the airport tax.

Next year's accommodation cost is 1,650 Saudi riyal (Rp 1, 315,050), up from 1,500 riyal (Rp 1,195,500) this year, and the airport tax has been increased to Rp 10,000 from Rp 5,000, based on a decree of the transportation minister.

Registration will close on Oct. 31 or once the pilgrimage quota has been filled, he said.

Indonesia is allocated a quota of 200,000 pilgrims for next year. Last year, the 195,000 quota was filled within a month of registration.

Ahmad said applicants would be required to pay the fee in full at the time of registration at the nearest branch of one of the country's seven state banks.

The banks are equipped with the Integrated Haj Computer System to facilitate registration.

The government has also set quotas for each of the 27 provinces. Aceh can send 3,630 pilgrims, North Sumatra 6,150, West Sumatra 3,870, Riau 3,609, Jambi 1,900, South Sumatra 3,500, Bengkulu 720, and Lampung 1,800.

Jakarta is allocated 23,550 pilgrims, West Java 47,900, Central Java 18,400, Yogyakarta 2,300, East Java 28,900, Bali 310, West Nusa Tenggara 4,540, and East Nusa Tenggara 450.

West Kalimantan may send 1,301 pilgrims, Central Kalimantan 1,710, South Kalimantan 7,340, East Kalimantan 4,550, North Sulawesi 500, Central Sulawesi 1,220, South Sulawesi 16,150, Southeast Sulawesi 1,750, Maluku 830, Irian Jaya 806, while East Timor gets to send 110.

The Armed Forces receives an allocation of 1,100. A further 7,500 seats are reserved for tour operators offering luxury pilgrimage services, and 3,604 for officials and escorts. (10)