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