'No more free pilgrimages in 2004'

'No more free pilgrimages in 2004'

PEKALONGAN, Central Java: Local legislators said on Thursday that the Pekalongan regency administration must stop providing state funds for sending pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, next year.

"Don't expect that we will allow people to go on pilgrimage using state facilities next year," Pekalongan legislative council speaker Dulmanan said.

He argued that the haj pilgrimage was a personal matter for Muslims, who should pay for it themselves.

Like other cities and towns across the country, Pekalongan annually sends government officials, councillors and others to Mecca on the haj using state funds.

The cost of the haj in Indonesia is at least US$2,677, or more than Rp 25 million. --Antara