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JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (pic) has said the government has not yet settled on the haj fee for Indonesian pilgrims this year.
“We’re still reviewing some of the options, so there is no final figure yet. We’re still calculating it,” the President said on Tuesday (Jan 24) during a visit to a construction site in Ciliwung, East Jakarta.
Jokowi said the government would need to discuss the new haj fee with the House of Representatives before making a final decision.
“This is not yet final. Don’t make a fuss over it,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Chill Qoumas told a meeting on Thursday with the House of Representatives about the government’s proposal to increase the cost of this year’s pilgrimage to Rp 69 million (US$4,604.71) per person, far higher than last year’s Rp 39 million per person.
The plan has elicited a mixed response from observers, particularly since it has surfaced after Saudi authorities announced lower prices for haj packages.
Indonesia’s quota for pilgrims this year has returned to its pre-pandemic level, the first time in three years since the global health crisis prompted Saudi Arabia to ban or reduce the number of foreign pilgrims.
