Punishment sought for travel agencies

Punishment sought for travel agencies

JAKARTA: Three legislators here urged religious affairs
minister Said Agil Hussein Al Munawar on Wednesday to revoke the
permits of travel agencies that had mismanaged pilgrimages during
the recent haj season.

"We want the government to revoke the permits of travel
agencies that have mistreated their clients," said Syahrul Azmir
Matondang of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangn).

Speaking at a hearing between the minister and House of
Representatives Commission VI, Syahrul said the travel agencies
had not only mistreated the pilgrims but also damaged the
country's image.

Two other legislators who also called on the government to
take strong action against the incompetent travel agencies were
AM Syaefuddin and Baihaqi AK, both of the United Development
Party (PPP) faction.

During the recent haj season, some 266 Indonesian pilgrims who
had their travel to the holy city of Mecca arranged by different
travel agencies, were stranded in Saudi Arabia because they were
not in possession of return tickets to make the flight back to
Indonesia.

They had gone to Mecca on a trip arranged by Tajak Ekspress
and PT Valdatama travel agencies. --Antara