The measure was necessary because the number of people who can make the pilgrimage is every year determined by the Saudi government, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Lakono said.
Under the Saudi quota system, an Indonesian who registered for the pilgrimage this year could not hope to be able to go next year "but perhaps in 2020," Agung said during a visit to the Khairul Imam Educational Foundation here on Saturday.
Therefore, he said, the government was considering taking special measures to overcome the problem.
One of the measures being contemplated was giving priority to people over 60 years old to make the pilgrimage, he said.
"Those who are more than 60 years old would be sent first while younger people would have to wait a few years," he said.
He said however that the government could still change or revoke the special policy or measure in case there was a new development that brings happiness such as a Saudi government decision to increase Indonesia`s hajj quota.(*)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
