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)