"What's encouraging is that in the last three years, starting from 2014, there has been a constant increase in the index, although it is not rapid. That means [the Religious Affairs Ministry's] services have been improving constantly," BPS head Suhariyanto told a press briefing.

Intercity bus services recorded the highest index at 88.23 percent, followed by 87.72 percent for shalawat bus services that transport pilgrims from their hotels to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, and 87.38 percent for services provided by pilgrimage officers. Nearly all services saw an increase in their satisfaction index.

Read also: Govt to seek haj facility upgrades from Saudi Arabia

The satisfaction index was first implemented in 2010.

The Religious Affairs Ministry, however, said it did not actually feel confident about the results before the announcement, because the number of hajj officers to the pilgrims was proportionately lower this year.

“It was feared the situation would affect [the quality of] their services," Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin told the briefing.

He explained that the number of the pilgrims increased by more than 52,000 this year to around 221,000 pilgrims, while the number of officers was increased by only 250 to 3,500 officers.

"One officer handled 51 to 52 pilgrims last year, but this year, one officer handled 63 pilgrims," Lukman said. "Thus, we are very pleased with the result." (bbn)

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