Fadli Zon Disapproved Of BPIH's Naik, There's Still Something That Can Be Optimized

The Ministry of Religion's proposal to increase the cost of Hajj Travel (BPIH) in 2023 to IDR 69.1 million per pilgrim received rejection from DPR RI member Fadli Zon. According to him, the option to raise BPIH is the last alternative. Because there is still something that can be optimized, such as the use of hajj pilgrims' funds collected at the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH).

Members of the DPR RI for the Electoral Region of West Java V which includes Bogor Regency are not without reason against the increase in BPIH because the amount is double compared to BPIH the previous year. This will burden prospective pilgrims. This plan must be rejected, this pilgrimage is part of the needs of the Indonesian people, which are mostly Muslims. This is a very inconsequential idea and must be rejected," he said to VOI who met him at the Fadli Zon Creative House, Depok, West Java, Friday, January 20.

Fadli Zon emphasized that the hajj funds stored by BPKH should be optimized first. If it does not meet the shortcomings, then the option to increase the cost of the pilgrimage is used.

As stated by the Head of BPKH Anggito Abimanyu, which was reported by Antara, last December, until now the funds collected in BPKH have reached more than Rp169 trillion. This is one that must be optimized according to Fadli Zon. That's not a small amount of funds. The funds are invested, from the profit sharing or investment that can be used to cover the lack of Hajj travel costs," said Fadli.

He continued other things that can be optimized, among others, from hajj catering. Catering for pilgrims can use rice and vegetables from Indonesian farmers. Likewise with spices or spices as well as other ingredients such as meat must come from Indonesian breeders," he said.

To pay dams or fines for pilgrims who do not carry out one of the obligations in the pilgrimage / Umrah or violate the prohibition in the pilgrimage / Umrah, they can use livestock from Indonesia. This must be optimized first," he said.

Improving BPIH according to Fadli's view is an option that is not asspiralal. "It could be that the government, in this case the Ministry of Religion, proposed an increase in BPIH, but this is an unapSPIrative choice and will burden the community. Therefore this must be rejected," said Fadli Zon.

He believes that the issue of the plan to increase the cost of the pilgrimage will be discussed intensively by members of Commission VIII DPR RI in charge of this issue. "I am sure that Commission VIII's friends can accommodate the aspirations of the people who reject this idea. Especially now that our economy is not good," said Fadli Zon.