TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Religious Affairs will soon impose the minimum fare for Umrah (BPIU) at Rp20 million per package as to prevent the scams of Umrah service agency (PPIU) which offering cheap packages.

“We set the fare at Rp20 million, but it is yet decided,” said the ministry’s Hajj and Umrah Agency general-director Nizar Ali in Jakarta, Tuesday, March 27.

Nizar stated the price has been discussed by Religious Affairs Ministry along with the representative of PPIU association, the Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition (KPPU), Consumer Protection Agency, and related stakeholders.

Nizar explained the price is logically set based on the calculation of minimum service standard (SPM) regulated by PPIU. If people found the price lower than Rp20 million, he added, they have to observe which service is terminated in the package.

“We have conducted FGD (forum group discussion) to discuss mandatory things for Umrah procession, such as standard ticketing, airport transition, and hotel star level,” said Nizar.

Many Umrah travel tour service either legal or illegal companies offered an unreasonable cheap package which then the customer lost their money and failed to perform the prayer.

“We hoped this minimum price as a standard for Umrah service agency to better serve the customer and the customer will be protected,” Nizar asserted.

ANTARA