'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