Jakarta, July 10 -- The government will comprehensively study the time and financial aspects of sending Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia via sea routes before moving forward with the option, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has said.

"This is actually not a new option ... We still need to take a range of matters into consideration, including the fact that sea travels tend to take a much longer time," he informed in Jakarta on Thursday.

He pointed out that Indonesia used to transport its Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia by sea, most notably using the Belle Abeto and Gunung Djati ships . However, such sea journeys can take three to four months to complete.

"Today's ships may be faster, and it should be noted that ...