House proposes independent haj organizational body
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Smarting from the controversy over the haj quota that marred this year pilgrimage, the House of Representatives is pushing for an independent institution to end the Ministry of Religious Affairs' monopoly over the lucrative business.
The House-sponsored haj bill proposed that the institution, to be called the Haj Organizational Board (BPH), would be tasked with arranging the pilgrimage under supervision of a Haj Executive Council, or Dewan Syuro Haji.
The bill says the council would consist of government officials and people's representatives who will be appointed by the President with approval from the House.
"The organization and supervision of the haj must be carried out by different institutions. We must implement good governance and modern management," Syahrudi Tandjung of the United Development Party (PPP) said at a House plenary meeting on Monday.
Apart from discussing the haj bill, the lawmakers also agreed during the session to continue the deliberation of bills on national health and development.
Less than 100 legislators turned up, although the attendance sheet bore the signatures of 251 House members.
All nine factions agreed to raise the haj bill for further deliberation with the government. If passed, it will replace Law No. 17/1999 on haj organization.
The law places the long-standing monopoly of the organization and supervision of the haj in the hands of the minister of religious affairs.
The pilgrimage to Mecca is the most important in the Islamic faith, and Muslims should go on haj at least once in their lifetime, provided they are financially able.
With over 200,000 Indonesians making the haj annually, each paying US$2,100 for the trip, the annual rite has become a lucrative business and is open to corruption due to the ministry's monopoly over its management.
The ministry came under fire last month for a speculative move that cost about 30,000 Indonesian pilgrims their entry to Saudi Arabia, although they had paid the exorbitant fees.
The ministry had unilaterally expanded the country's quota of 205,000 pilgrims, claiming informal approval from the Saudi Arabian government, which turned out to be false.
In response to the latest haj fiasco, Zaim Uchrowi, coordinator of the haj watchdog, said the ministry's involvement in organizing the haj had transformed the state institution into a profit-oriented commercial travel agent.
Muchyidin Soewondo from the National Awakening Party (PKB) said the ministry's role would be reduced to outlining a general framework on haj management.
Ferdiansyah of Golkar said the draft law would focus mainly on opening haj management to the public.
He said the ministry had not been transparent in handling the haj arrangements.
Meanwhile, Arismunandar of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) suggested that the bill give priority to first- time haj pilgrims.
It has become common for affluent people to perform the pilgrimage more than once.
Key articles in haj bill --------------------------------------------------------------- Article 6(1): Organization of the haj is the responsibility of the government and the public, with arrangements to be handled by the Haj Executive Council and the Haj Organizational Board (BPHI).
Article 6(5): The BPHI consists of government officials and public representatives appointed by the Council with the House's consent.
Article 9(1): The haj fee is to be determined by the Council with House approval.
Article 23: The priority treatment haj fee is to be determined by the Council. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Source: House of Representatives