Tarmizi guarantees slight haj fare increase

Tarmizi guarantees slight haj fare increase

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher
confirmed Saturday there would be no significant increase in this
year's haj pilgrimage fare.

"The government will put all its efforts into minimizing the
impact of the rupiah's fall against the U.S. dollar so there will
be no increase in the haj pilgrimage fare," Tarmizi said as
quoted by Antara.

Speaking to reporters after attending the opening ceremony of
the House of Representatives' (DPR) hearing sessions, Tarmizi
said the government would take necessary action, including
controlling the fare, to help smooth the government-organized haj
pilgrimage to Mecca every year.

He was commenting on the rupiah's fluctuating currency against
the dollar. Spot rupiah slumped to Rp 2,890 on foreign trading at
the Jakarta Stock Exchange this weekend.

The U.S. dollar influences the haj pilgrimage fare.

Although the fare payment is set in rupiah, the government
pays all expenses in dollars, Tarmizi said.

Tarmizi, however, failed to describe the government's attempt
to prevent the pilgrimage fares hike.

"The government will bear all responsibilities for the fare
hike," he said.

Sources at the ministry of religious affairs predicted the
government would announce the new fare at the end of this month
or the beginning of next month.

Tarmizi did not deny the possibility of a fare hike in
connection with the rupiah's depreciation against the dollar.

"This year's hike will be no different from last year's
increase of between 4 percent and 5 percent," he said. (imn)