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