Discussing The Rp 1.5 T Budget Addition Requested By The Minister Of Religion, Commission VIII Explores The Use Of Hajj Funds

JAKARTA - Commission VIII again held a working meeting and hearing with the Minister of Religion and the Head of BKPH regarding the preparation for the 1443H/2022M Hajj this afternoon, Tuesday, May 31. Hajj funds proposed by the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas amounted to Rp. 1.5 trillion. Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives does not want the subsidy for the management of Hajj funds to be too large.

"These funds are entrusted to the BPKH to be managed as well as possible and fully utilized for providing services to prospective hajj pilgrims," said Ace to reporters, Tuesday, May 31.

Ace ensured that Commission VIII of the DPR will discuss the budget proportionally. "So this year's Hajj pilgrimage can still be carried out as well as possible," he said.

The Golkar politician emphasized that Commission VIII of the DPR will explore the use of the pilgrimage funds proposed by the Yaqut Minister of Religion. Because, Ace said, the issue of additional costs should not interfere with the implementation of the pilgrimage, which has already begun.

"We want to explore this again. Hopefully we can agree on a proportional and appropriate budget," said Ace.

Earlier in a working meeting with Commission VIII of the DPR, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Coumas said the proposed additional budget arose as a result of Saudi Arabia's latest policy which increased the price of service packages in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).

According to the Minister of Religion, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has implemented a Masyair service package system with a fee per congregation of 5,656.87 riyals (1 riyal rupiah exchange rate = Rp 3,846.67). Meanwhile, the budget that was agreed on April 13 was only 1,531.02 riyals per congregation.

"So, there is a shortage of 4,125.02 riyals per congregation, or a total of 380,516,587.42 riyals or equivalent to Rp1,463,721,741,330.89," he said.