JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII has established a working committee (panja) aimed at reducing the cost of haj pilgrimage and improving the quality of haj services.
Sodik Mujahid of Gerindra Party explained that the working committee will soon launch an investigation into all of working contracts related to the haj pilgrimage fees, including transportation, accommodation, catering, etc.
In a related progress, the Ministry of Religious Affairs earlier has proposed to the DPR a reduction in the haj pilgrimage cost.
Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin stated that the central government aimed to bring down the cost from US$3,219 to US$3,193 for a regular trip planned this year.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is expected to announce the new cost of haj pilgrimage by April 2015. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.