The Government Continues To Evaluate The Implementation Of Hajj

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy (left) spoke with Kadaker Medina Zaenal Muttaqin, at the Daker Madinah Office, Saturday (3/6). (ANTARA/Nur Istibasaroh)

JAKARTA - The government through the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy said he would continue to evaluate the implementation or implementation of the pilgrimage.

"Tomorrow I will hold a meeting, later at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture," said Muhadijr at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta as reported by ANTARA, Monday, June 5.

Previously, Muhadjir Effendy had reviewed the readiness of Indonesian pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, since Friday (2/6).

Muhadjir, who just arrived in the country on Monday, said that based on his review, there are several things that are temporary notes, for example about the proportion of the number of health workers.

He said that this year there are around 64,000 elderly pilgrims from Indonesia aged over 65 years, so health services are very important.

"The proportion of my number of health workers will soon have a meeting with the Minister of Health and also from the Ministry of Religion, the Director General of Hajj, several notes for improvement," said Muhadjir.

In addition, there are also proposals from pilgrims, so that consumption for the elderly is distinguished.

"Yesterday there was input from the congregation that it should be distinguished between consumption for the elderly and those who are not elderly. The important thing is nutritious, (the portion) doesn't have to be a lot, (while) the young ones have to be more of the elderly. I asked if there are 97 (years old) it's enough rice or not, 'oh, only half is enough'. But for the young need to be doubled from him, it must also be calculated, I ask to be taken into account, "he said.

Muhadjir said that he would continue to evaluate the implementation of the pilgrimage, although in general he assessed that the current implementation of the pilgrimage was better than in previous years. Saudi Arabian government itself, he said, had increased facilities and infrastructure for pilgrims, for example by preparing large tents that have cooling, as well as adding 500 kitchens out of 1,000 kitchens that had previously been prepared. Meanwhile, the toilet wash facility (MCK) was also added from the previous 1,500 units to 2,000 units. However, Muhadjir assessed that the number of MCKs is still very lacking for pilgrims.