GOI CRITICIZED FOR HAJJ MIS-MANAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000004 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, DRL, DRL/IRF NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2019 TAGS: PGOV KISL KCOR ID SUBJECT: GOI CRITICIZED FOR HAJJ MIS-MANAGEMENT REF: A. RIYADH 1888 ¶B. 07 JEDDAH 84 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI has come under criticism for its performance during the recent Hajj season. Pilgrims assert that arrangements they had paid for were not made and that there was corruption in the way officials used funds. Problems related to the Hajj are endemic in Indonesia, though a 2008 law was supposed to streamline the process. Muslim-oriented parties plan to use the issue of mismanagement in coming elections. The world's largest Muslim country by population, Indonesia sent over 200,000 nationals on the Hajj last year. END SUMMARY. GOI TAKES FLAK ¶2. (U) The GOI is taking heat for its handling of Hajj arrangements. Pilgrims assert that they paid government-approved tour operators to make all Hajj arrangements, but that they did not receive adequate services. Some pilgrims claimed that they were not housed properly in Jakarta before leaving. In addition, once in Makkah, some felt that their housing and food arrangements were very poor. Others said buses sometimes did not turn up, leading to their being late for various events. In one case, hundreds of elderly Indonesians reportedly went without a meal for over 30 hours until the Saudi authorities stepped in and distributed food to them. ¶3. (U) Medical care was also an issue, with some 325 pilgrims dying in Saudi Arabia. There are complaints that medical care was inadequate, though tour operators were supposed to provide it as part of the Hajj package. The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah also came under criticism for being "unresponsive." ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION ¶4. (SBU) The Minister of Religious Affairs has also been accused of corruption. Indonesia Corruption Watch, an NGO, has accused Minister Maftuh Basyuni of receiving funds from an outside source. The Minister has stated that he did receive some funds from a group some time ago, but that it was not illegal because it was for legitimate Hajj-related services. The NGO plans to report him to Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission for investigation. There are also accusations that the official "Hajj fund" has been illegally tapped into by unknown actors and money siphoned off. A POLITICAL ISSUE? ¶5. (SBU) Muslim-oriented parties have taken the GOI to task. Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) representatives have been particularly caustic, with one member of parliament stating: "Many pilgrims were neglected, went hungry and received poor accommodation. What did they get for paying such large fees? There must be an inquiry." Other Muslim parties have made similar comments. The opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P),which is secular in nature, has also demanded an investigation. ¶6. (C) On December 22, Dr. Zulkiefilmansyah, a senior PKS MP, told Pol/C that: "The Hajj is a sacred occasion and the government has not made arrangements properly. There must be an investigation and someone must be held accountable." Zulkiefilmansyah promised that PKS would use the issue in this year's elections. He added that he thought that the management of the Hajj effort should be taken out of the Ministry of Religious Affairs' hands and privatized, with an independent non-profit organization overseeing arrangements. JAKARTA 00000004 002 OF 002 ¶7. (U) For its part, the GOI has promised to look into the matter. President Yudhoyono told the press that he had asked for an explanation from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and would hold those responsible "for mistakes" accountable. A HUGE EVENT FOR INDONESIA ¶8. (C) The annual Hajj is a big event for Indonesia. The world's largest Muslim country by population, Indonesia sent over 200,000 nationals on the Hajj last year, which was one of the largest totals of any country. It is also a lucrative business, generating an estimated USD 600 million in fees. Despite efforts at reform--including a 2008 law that was supposed to streamline the process--problems related to the Hajj are endemic in Indonesia. In the past, officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs have been forced to resign due to poor management and corruption charges, for example. It is not clear whether the issue of Hajj mismanagement will have legs, but, in an electoral year, it is something the GOI will have to counter. HEFFERN