Govt, House avoid hike in haj fee

Govt, House avoid hike in haj fee

JAKARTA: The government and House of Representatives
Commission VI for human resources and religious affairs agreed on
Thursday to reduce, or at least to maintain, the haj fee for next
season.

The agreement was reached during a hearing with Director
General of Islamic and Haj Affairs Taufiq Kamil, which was
presided over by the commission's deputy chairwoman, Chodidjah.

The two parties, however, failed to set the new haj fee,
saying that would require more deliberation.

"Like last season, the haj fee for next season will be in US
dollars, regarding the air fare from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia
and accommodations during the stay in the Arab country,"
Chodidjah said.

The next haj season will take place from mid-January to mid-
February, 2003.

Taufiq said that to put a cap on the haj fee, the Ministry of
Religious Affairs had asked the government for a US$5.78 million
subsidy, which would exempt pilgrims from paying for any indirect
services.

Last season, Indonesians joining the haj paid between $2,577
and $2,777, depending on their place of residence.

The government is expecting to register 205,000 haj pilgrims
for the next season, up from last season's 196,800. -- Antara