"Admittedly, we are still discussing the 2011 hajj pilgrimage cost with the House Commission VIII. But the government and the DPR will try not to increase it," he said in Jepara, Central Java, on Saturday night.
But there were other factors that might increase hajj pilgrimage cost, including aviation turbine (avtur) fuel price, he said.
"If fuel price goes up flight fare will undoubtedly follow and in turn this will have an impact on hajj pilgrimage cost," he said.
He said the airline companies that would transport Indonesian hajj pilgrims this year had proposed a US$342 increase in flight fare to US$2,076 from last year`s US$1,734.
"Of course, we will discuss it (the proposed flight fare hike) so the hajj pilgrimage cost will not increase," he said.
Hopefully, the 2011 hajj pilgrimage cost could be decided in the near future, he said.
More than 211 thousand Indonesians performed hajj pilgrimage last year. The government is seeking an increase in hajj quota to 238 thousand this year.
Muslims who can afford it are obliged to perform hajj pilgrimage once during their lifetime.
(Uu.S012/H-NG)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
