Same old incompetence

Same old incompetence

From Media Indonesia

The official haj management in 1996 is still beset with the same problems as it was last year. Meanwhile the private haj affair bureaus handle the matter smoothly, conveniently and peacefully. Some companies are even planning to go public. It should be noted that haj pilgrimage projects involve thousands of billions of rupiah. Therefore it is necessary to review the management of the project.

The would-be haj want it to be managed professionally. Because of its sheer magnitude, haj management cannot be handled by the Ministry of Religious Affairs alone. It is high time the ministry established a state-owned company (BUMN) with the special task of managing the haj pilgrimage project.

Banks collect haj saving funds from society. And the Ministry of Health deals with health matters, while state-owned Garuda Airlines manage the transportation business and the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs are responsible for the visa procedures. Then what is left for the Ministry of Religious Affairs? The major task of this ministry concerns the mental and spiritual aspects of the haj.

In this way the Ministry of Religious Affairs can be relieved from such chores as visa arrangements, accommodation, ticketing, catering, etc. Also the would-be haj can expect better services from professional agents free from extortion and bribery.

SITI DJUFAINAH

Tangerang, West Java