Hamzah cancels haj trip to Mecca

Hamzah cancels haj trip to Mecca

Vice President Hamzah Haz has canceled his plan to perform a haj
pilgrimage this year, citing the unremitting floods that have
left over 100 people dead nationwide and nearly crippled the
country's economy.

"I have decided to postpone my pilgrimage ... Insyah Allah
(God willing), I might go next year," Hamzah told reporters
during a one-day official visit to South Bengkulu on Tuesday.

Hamzah was initially scheduled to join a batch of 87 pilgrims
departing for Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 18, Antara reported.

The Vice President said he informed President Megawati
Soekarnoputri on Monday of his change of plan.

Unlike Hamzah, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar
Tandjung, who is a suspect in a graft scandal involving the State
Logistics Agency, said after his latest questioning session on
Monday that he would go ahead with his plan to perform his second
pilgrimage. Akbar is slated to leave the country on Thursday.

The Attorney General's Office has been widely criticized for
exempting Akbar from the travel ban which usually applies to
suspects in high-profile scandals, including Bank Indonesia
Governor Sjahril Sabirin.

A group of ulemas in Yogyakarta and Central Java have called
on state officials to stay at home during the present time of
crisis and ordeal.

Nearly 200,000 Indonesians will be among 2.5 million haj
pilgrims this season. The month-long pilgrimage will peak on Feb.
22, when Muslims across the world celebrate the Day of Sacrifice.
-- JP