No more freebies for legislators

JAKARTA: The government will no longer allocate free seats for House of Representatives legislators and other state officials who want to go on the haj pilgrimage, for the sake of fairness.

Minister of Religious Affairs Maftuh Basyuni said many people had to save their money for years to be able to make a trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, not to mention the complicated procedure, which everyone else must go through, to secure places.

"Nothing is free of charge, including haj seats for House members," the minister said.

Director General of Haj Affairs Nurdin Nasution said the ministry had, in the past, reserved 25 free seats for lawmakers each year. The lawmakers usually bring along their relatives as well on the free rides, he added. -- Antara