Haj fund interest

Haj fund interest

From Neraca

The initiative taken by Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher to collect the interest of funds deposited at banks in payment of haj pilgrimage is a positive move. It is thought that not less than Rp 50 billion in interest is reaped every year. This huge permanent fund is slated to be used for the benefit of the Moslem society.

Certain people should not expect to be able to use the fund for political purposes, such as for campaigning.

The question is: Why has the government become interested in the fund only recently? I know that banks have been receiving pilgrimage funds for years. Where did the previous interest from the fund go? I have never heard of anyone speak of this fund. The Department of Religious Affairs should clarify the matter so that people need not engage in polemics so as to find out what really happened to the previous interest.

An independent auditing agency has to be called in and announce the result of the audit so that it does not cause suspicion in the community.

INDRA KESUMA Jakarta