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Vice President Ma'ruf Amin responded to questions from the media during a press briefing following his leadership of the Plenary Meeting of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Leadership Council for the year 2023 at the Ballroom Hotel Aryaduta in Menteng, Central Jakarta on Friday (17/11/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Vice President Ma’ruf Amin stated that the subsidy for the Hajj pilgrimage expenses is still necessary in order to lighten the burden on the pilgrims. On the other hand, the amount of subsidy should not burden the Hajj Financial Management Agency. Policies regarding Hajj expenses must be made proportionally.

"I have often stated that the cost of hajj has been subsidized to a greater extent, even up to half, which burdens the BPKH (Hajj Financial Management Body)," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when responding to media questions during a press conference after leading the Full Council Meeting of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for the year 2023 at the Ballroom Hotel Aryaduta, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Friday (17/11/2023).

The size of subsidies that are too large can affect development outcomes. "So sometimes the results of the development are eroded. If that is allowed, the capital will run out. Therefore, I think this contribution is still needed so that it is not too burdensome for the pilgrims, but also not to burden the BPKH subsidy," said Vice President Amin.

This donation, I believe, is still necessary in order to reduce the burden on hajj pilgrims, but we also must not burden the BPKH subsidy.

Also read: 2024 Hajj Costs Proposed to Increase

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Hajj pilgrims circumambulated the Kaaba to perform the tawaf wada (farewell circumambulation) at Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Monday (3/7/2023). The tawaf wada is the final ritual performed by the hajj pilgrims before leaving Mecca and bidding farewell to the Kaaba.

Therefore, it should be made proportionally. If yesterday was 50 percent, then don't make it 50 percent. Yesterday, the Minister of Religious Affairs proposed a 30 percent contribution, with 70 percent to be borne by the congregation. We need to discuss whether it is appropriate to stick to the 30 percent or whether we need to add subsidies so that the burden on the congregation is reduced. What is important is that it should be proportional, which will be done through the DPR.

In relation to this, Vice President Amin requested that there be proportionality in determining the cost of Hajj and subsidies. "So, it should be made proportionally. If yesterday it was 50 percent, don't make it 50 percent again. Yesterday, the Minister of Religion proposed a 30 percent donation, and the remaining 70 percent was borne by the pilgrims. Let's discuss whether 30 percent is reasonable. Do we still need to add subsidies so that the burden on the pilgrims is lessened? What is important is proportionality, and it should be done through the DPR," said Vice President Amin.

Meanwhile, MUI General Chair Anwar Iskandar said that the normal cost of the Hajj is IDR 95 million. "Normally what must be paid in full is IDR 95 million. However, in reality, on the ground, Hajj candidates pay IDR 48 million. The downside is that it is subsidized by BPKH, subsidized by the state. "So, actually Indonesian Hajj pilgrims receive government subsidies through BPKH," said Anwar Iskandar.

Also read: A fair formula will be sought for the sustainability of Hajj funds and the departure of all registered participants

As reported by Kompas.id on Wednesday (15/11/2023), the Ministry of Religious Affairs has proposed an average cost for the implementation of the Hajj or BPIH 1445 H/2024 M at Rp 105 million. This BPIH proposal will still be discussed by the Working Committee of the DPR Commission VIII in the next one to two months.

In the future, prospective hajj pilgrims will not pay the full BPIH (cost of hajj pilgrimage package). Referring to the average BPIH of 1444 H/2023 M, which is IDR 90,050,637.26, prospective pilgrims will pay an average of IDR 49,812,700.26 or 55.3 percent, and the rest will be covered by other sources.

In accordance with the mechanism for discussing the Hajj costs, the proposal for BPIH was presented by Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to the DPR during a joint Working Meeting with Commission VIII in Jakarta on November 13, 2023. Note: No translation needed for "DPR", "BPIH" and "Komisi VIII" as they are Indonesian acronyms and forbidden words should not be translated.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Hajj pilgrims circumambulated the Kaaba to perform the tawaf wada (farewell circumambulation) at Masjidil Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Monday (3/7/2023). The tawaf wada is the final ritual performed by the hajj pilgrims before leaving Mecca and bidding farewell to the Kaaba.

Additional quota

Previously, when giving a speech at the 2023 National Day of Santri event in Surabaya, East Java Province, on October 22, 2023, President Joko Widodo addressed the proposal for an increase in the hajj quota. This proposal was conveyed by President Jokowi to Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud or Prince MBS.

Also read: After meeting with the President, the Minister of Religion conveys the follow-up to the additional Hajj Quota

During his visit to Saudi Arabia on October 19, 2023, President Jokowi conveyed to Prince MBS that some Indonesian pilgrims have to wait up to 47 years to have the opportunity to perform hajj. President Jokowi also requested an increase in the hajj quota for Indonesia.

"And he was spontaneous at that moment, 'Tomorrow morning I will provide information, President Jokowi, on the additional quota for hajj.' Alhamdulillah, the next morning I was informed that it had been decided by Prime Minister Prince MBS that the additional quota would be 20,000," said President Jokowi.

Thank God, in the morning I was informed by Prime Minister Prince MBS that the addition to the quota is 20,000.

President Jokowi said the number of 20,000 was so large that those who had waited 47 years could advance to, perhaps 45 years or 40 years. ”Yes, it's still a long time, still it's still a long time. But at least, moving forward, we should be grateful for this. "20,000 is also not a small number," said the former Governor of DKI Jakarta.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivered a speech during the 2023 National Day of Santri at the Heroes Monument in Surabaya on Sunday, October 22nd. The event was attended by President Joko Widodo himself.

Economist and Public Policy Expert from the National Development University (UPN) Veteran Jakarta, Achmad Nur Hidayat, communicated the importance of strengthening social ties through private sector involvement and community incentives in his release on November 15, 2023. Aside from providing financial solutions for prospective hajj pilgrims, this step will also reinforce social and religious ties within the community.

Also read: Increase the value of benefits, management of Hajj funds must be more optimal

According to Nur, with Indonesia's hajj quota reaching 241,000 in 2024, the addition of 20,000 pilgrims should be a moment for the government to further detail hajj cost policies that support equity for all layers of society. The BPIH Committee should ensure that optimal service remains guaranteed without neglecting fairness in cost distribution.

"The pro-people policy is not only about formulating numbers, but also ensuring that every citizen has fair and affordable access to perform the Hajj pilgrimage," said Nur.