DPR Approves BPIH Addition Of IDR 288 Billion For Additional Quota

Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR Ace Hasan Syadzily during a working meeting with the Ministry of Religion in Jakarta, Tuesday (23/5/2023)/screenshot

Commission VIII of the House of Representatives approved the addition of the Implementation Fee for Hajj (BPIH) of IDR 288,312,382,288.42 which was taken from the value of benefits for 7,360 additional regular Hajj candidates.

"The House of Representatives Commission VIII can approve the addition of a regular hajj quota of 7,360 pilgrims and add a special hajj quota of 640 pilgrims and use the benefits value of Rp. 288,312,382,288.42," said Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR Ace Hasan Syadzily during a working meeting with the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 23.

Previously, Indonesia received an additional quota of 8,000 people from Saudi Arabia which was divided into 7,360 regular Hajj people and 640 special hajjes.

The budget for 7,360 additional quotas for regular Hajj is taken from the value of the benefits of managing hajj funds by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH).

Commission VIII of the House of Representatives noted that the Ministry of Religion should provide services by prioritizing elderly companions who are not independent (always need assistance).

"Giving priority departures to the elderly accompanied by their muhrim," said Ace.

In addition, a number of members of Commission VIII of the DPR also suggested that if the additional quota cannot be absorbed by regular hajj candidates, it can be transferred to special hajj candidates.

Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said the Ministry of Religion had set an additional quota filled by reserve pilgrims who had received payment, but had not yet received a quota.

"Reservoir or pilgrims with the next serial number and have paid off, but have not received a quota of 5,765 people. Meanwhile, the remaining additional quota (1,595) that has not been utilized will be divided based on the number of waiting lists for each province, as according to PMA (Religious Minister Regulation) Number 13 of 2021 (regarding the Implementation of Regular Hajj)," he explained.

Meanwhile, regarding the proposal for absorption for a special hajj quota if the regular quota is not fulfilled, the Minister of Religion said that the data was already included in the Saudi Arabian e-Hajj system and Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah, so that it could not be changed.