Govt predicts 200,000 at haj registration

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher predicted yesterday that the number of Indonesians who register for next year's haj pilgrimage to Mecca could exceed 180,000, perhaps even 200,000.

Tarmizi warned that because of the logistical problems in arranging transport and accommodations for the pilgrims, the government may be forced to bump those who register late.

He said Indonesia has been allowed a quota of 180,000 pilgrims by the Saudi authorities for next year. "The government intends to honor the quota," affirmed Tarmizi, adding that those who register late will risk being turned away.

Speaking to reporters after reporting to President Soeharto at his Jl. Cendana residence, Tarmizi said that by yesterday, 110,000 people had registered for the 1995 haj pilgrimage.

He warned those intending to join the pilgrimage that the deadline for registration is Jan. 31 and that the last payments should be made by Feb. 15. "There will be no last minute bookings. There'll be no exceptions whatsoever."

The minister said that the government must be absolutely certain about the size of next pilgrimage group because it has to organize flight and accommodation arrangements.

The government-sponsored pilgrimage this year nearly turned into chaos as Indonesia exceeded its designated quota of 160,000 pilgrims. Around 165,000 Indonesians eventually joined the pilgrimage after the Saudi authorities agreed to allow the extra 5,000.

Tarmizi disclosed that the government has so far been assured of accommodations for 170,000 pilgrims from the Saudi authorities. He added that Indonesian and Saudi officials will have a meeting early in January to discuss the arrangements of Indonesia's next haj pilgrimage.

The minister on Monday said to Antara that the government has taken steps to prevent any more complications concerning the haj arrangements for 1995.

A new ruling has been drafted to prevent people using the ordinary green passports from joining the pilgrimage in 1995, he said, adding that details of the ruling would soon be announced.

The chaos of this year's pilgrimage was largely blamed on presence of thousands of people who were using the green passports, and not the special brown passports issued by the government just for the pilgrims.

The green passport holders nearly prevented passage for those whose travels were arranged by the government. Eventually however, all would-be pilgrims were able to depart.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs coordinates the arrangements for the pilgrims each year, working together with the flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and other agencies. In the past, thousands of people managed to make their own arrangements, and often at a lower price. The official cost of the haj pilgrimage in 1995 has been set at Rp 7.07 million (US$3,360). (emb)