Operators predict smooth haj operation

Operators predict smooth haj operation

JAKARTA (JP): Haj operators are applauding the Ministry of
Religious Affairs and the Saudi Arabian Embassy for their
improved cooperation which has resulted in the prompt issuance of
visas for the 1997 haj pilgrims.

They believe the prompt issuance will mean the sending of the
Indonesian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will be much smoother than
last year's chaotic operation.

This year's visas were issued Wednesday; the first batch of
pilgrims are to leave for Mecca on March 15. Last year visas were
issued only ten days before the scheduled first departure and
even then not all the visas were issued at the same time.

"Because the visas were issued earlier this year, we'll have
more time to prepare our pilgrims and tend to other matters,"
said Syam Ristiadi of the Pantura travel agency.

Mega, of haj operator PT Tiga Utama, said the prompt issuance
of visas meant her company could also speed up other
administrative matters.

"We hope this smooth operation will continue. Our customers
rely on us to take care of things such as registrations and visa
applications, and we can't do our job well unless the government
provides us with fast and reliable services," she said.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdullah
Abdurrahman Alim handed over 198,984 haj passports for Indonesian
pilgrims. Just over 1,000 are still being processed by the
ministry.

The government is charging each pilgrim Rp 7.5 million (US$3,
213) for the trip to Mecca. Last year 194,000 Indonesians made
the pilgrimage. They were each charged Rp 7.25 million ($3,090).

Based on the current schedule, the first batch of pilgrims
leaves from six embarkation points across the country. They are
scheduled to return home on April 25.

Ambassador Alim said, "The issuance of the special haj
passports has been completed because of better coordination
between the Indonesian religious affairs ministry and my office."

He said the process of issuing the special passports was
conducted in a "better and more systematic way than before."

The system was based on the schedule and registration order of
the pilgrims' departure. "It was 'first come, first served,'" he
said.

H. Achmad Ghozali, director general for Islamic development
and pilgrimage affairs, said the passports not yet presented to
the Saudi Arabian embassy were those of the authorities,
invitees, and late comers.

"I'm relieved," Ghozali said of the progress. "Visa processing
is a crucial point in the sending of Indonesian pilgrims to Saudi
Arabia.

"Besides, haj is a religious ritual which is (determined) by
time and place. The time and place are already fixed. If visas
are not issued on time, then the whole operation could be
jeopardized," he said.

The 1996 haj operation was so chaotic that Armed Forces Chief
Gen. Feisal Tanjung, who was last year's leader of the Indonesian
haj pilgrims, was forced to deploy soldiers to help pacify irate
pilgrims.

One of the most disruptive problems was canceled and delayed
flights; one prospective pilgrim who failed to go last year and
also failed in 1995 became so desperate he committed suicide.

To improve this year's haj operation, the government has
decided to make the Adi Sumarmo airport in Surakarta, Central
Java, a new embarkation point to join Medan, Surabaya,
Ujungpandang, Jakarta, and Balikpapan.

President Soeharto will inaugurate the new embarkation point
and its haj dormitory, some 4 km from the airport in Donohudan
village, Boyolali regency, on Feb. 27.

Antara reported that in the last few months, the Adi Sumarmo
airport has undergone massive upgrading, including to its runway
which is now 2,600 meters long. This will enable wide-bodied
aircraft, like MD-11s, DC10s and Boeing 747s, to land and take
off more easily.

Gatot Soedjantoko of the Central Java transportation office
said the upgrading programs and preparations cost Rp 40 billion.
The funding came from the state budget.

The Adi Sumarmo International Airport, now covering more than
200 hectares, is to be expanded to 720 hectares. (12/swe)