Govt promises transparency in haj fund management
Govt promises transparency in haj fund management
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher
promised yesterday to personally ensure the better management of
the haj pilgrim funds it collects every year.
During a hearing with Commission IX of the House of
Representatives, Tarmizi said he would take responsibility for
his office's handling of the funds.
"If it's not done correctly, I'll lose my job," he said.
The government this year introduced a new system to register
people intending to make the 1996 pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi
Arabia. Everyone will now pay the full Rp 7.29 million ($3,200)
fee in advance, rather than in installments as before. The
government, after only 18 days, closed registration on Sept. 18
when it fulfilled the 195,000 total quota.
The new practice, however, has raised much concern with the
potentially huge earnings the government stands to make in
interest.
The issue was raised by legislators during the hearing with
Tarmizi, whose office coordinates the haj pilgrimage for all
Indonesians.
Tarmizi said the government plans to set up a permanent fund
to manage the interest earnings from the haj fee, which he said
reaches Rp 50 billion (US$22.2 million) annually.
President Soeharto will personally supervise the interest
fund, which, he added, will be used to finance various projects
and develop religious schools.
Tarmizi said he would have to consult Minister of Finance for
the details of the plan.
Members of Commission IX, which oversees religious affairs,
applauded the decision, but suggested that the government find
another term for "interest earning" in view of the fact that
Islam prohibits usury.
Tarmizi recounted how, during his meeting with President
Soeharto on Wednesday, he was told to pay sharp attention to
suggestions regarding the haj affairs. "Open up your ears to
criticism regarding the haj operation," Soeharto instructed
Tarmizi.
Indonesia has been allocated a quota of 195,000 people for the
1996 pilgrimage by the Saudi government.
Tarmizi said the introduction of the new system, called
SISKOHAT, would eliminate rumors about the mishandling of haj
fees.
"But this is a man-made system. It can be manipulated, but
supervision will be tighter," he promised. (swe)