Many Complaints From Indonesian Congregants Regarding Hajj Services, Dasco: Professionals Must Be Handled

JAKARTA - It was reported that Indonesian pilgrims received limited services. These obstacles have attracted the attention of many parties, especially among the Indonesian government.

Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, assessed the need for a more professional party to handle the pilgrimage in the following years.

"I think it's good that in the coming years it will be handled by a more professional so that everything that is not perfect can be perfected," said Dasco, quoted from Antara, Thursday, June 29.

He said that although the Ministry of Religion has carried out its duties well, the number of congregants and limited facilities are challenges that must be faced.

"I see that because there are so many Indonesian pilgrims, and also the facilities here are indeed limited," he said.

Dasco emphasized that a number of things that were found by the DPR's Hajj Team would be discussed after returning to Jakarta.

Currently, the Hajj Supervisory Team is still conducting surveillance to inventory more findings for evaluation materials.

As is known, Dasco began visiting the Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Mina at 09.00 Saudi Arabia time. Members of the DPR Hajjwas Team who participated with Dasco, namely Abdul Wachid, M Husni, Maman Imanulhaq, and Rano Al Fat.

When visiting the boarding house, various complaints were conveyed by the congregation, especially about the toilet and the tightness of the tent.

Dasco and his entourage initially visited Maktab 48 which was occupied by worshipers from the Jakarta and Banten areas. In the hot sun which is more than 40 degrees Celsius, Dasco and his entourage opened a tent, inspected the toilets, and interacted with the congregation

The congregation complained about a number of problems in Maktab to Dasco. Among the problems that were complained were about clogged toilets and long queues and the shortness of tents.

Dasco also had time to interact with the sick and being treated in a tent for health facilities. He also visited several tents and asked about the congregation's problems.

From Maktab 48, Dasco and members of the DPR's Hajjwas Team visited Maktab 42 which is occupied by pilgrims from East Java and Aceh. There, Dasco also checked tents, toilets, and health facilities.

The sad view of welcoming the group when checking women's toilets.

Beside the toilet, there are a number of female pilgrims who hold mattresses and sleep there. When approached and asked, they said they did not get to sleep in the tent. Since last night these female worshipers slept beside the toilet.

Then there are also pilgrims who complain that they have not received food since Wednesday (28/6) night.

The congregation named Abdullah asked the DPR's Hajj Team for help in communicating with the Hajj committee so that the food rations for his tents came.

There are similarities in the problems encountered by Dasco and the DPR's Hajj Timwas entourage from the two Maktabs, namely the clogged toilets and long queues, tight tents, and also uneven distribution of food.

Dasco said there needs to be improvements in the management of hajj in the future.