Sutiyoso departs on haj pilgrimage

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso and his wife will join the last batch of Indonesian haj pilgrims scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Speaking after Friday prayers at City Hall, Sutiyoso said that Deputy Governor of Social Affairs Djailani would be in charge until his return on March 12.

He underlined that his leaving would not affect any decision- making in the city administration office.

This will be Sutiyoso's first time on the pilgrimage during his governorship.

Deputy Governor of Government Affairs Abdul Kahfi will also join the pilgrimage.

More than 205,000 Indonesians are scheduled to take part in the haj this year from seven embarkation points across the country. (07)