The Jakarta Post
Observers said the government should hand over pilgrimage management to the private sector after failing to provide good services to Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia over many years. Public administration expert from University of Indonesia, Eko Prasojo, said Sunday the government could still play a supervisory role if haj management was handed over to the private sector to ensure standards. Eko said the government could hand over transportation, accommodation, or food supplies, which might not have been adequately managed by government officials. Noted Islamic scholar, Ahmad Syafii Maarif, said this could result in a good solution resulting in optimum services for pilgrims. The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) member, Ahmad Ramadhan Siregar, said the government "should tender the business to ensure the best services were delivered to the pilgrims...