Govt bans 12 haj service firms

Govt bans 12 haj service firms

JAKARTA: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has revoked the
operational licenses of 12 companies that offer special haj
services as they have failed to live up to their promises.

Speaking at a hearing with House of Representatives Commission
VI for human resources and religious affairs on Thursday,
Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Husin Al-Munawar said the
companies had neglected the haj pilgrims, charged them more than
the standard fee, given the pilgrims poor accommodation, failed
to provide round-trip tickets or report to the ministry's
representatives in Saudi Arabia, and sub-contracted their license
to unauthorized firms.

"The action is part of our attempt to protect the public
interest, not to terminate private businesses. They have ignored
something to which they have agreed," he said.

The errant companies are PT Cahaya Sri Erawan, PT Tunas
Apexindo, PT Titian Kapuas, PT Birama Idaman Express, PT Natrabu,
PT Indasari Dwipantara, PT Saga Utama Tour, PT Arfasona Mandiri,
PT Tazkia Inti Safara, PT Antaria Wisata, PT Lima Utama Mulia
Abadi, and PT Ikhwan Daya Mentari. --JP