DPR Forms Local Hajjwas, Involve 100 Volunteers In Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives for Korpolkam, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, announced that his party had formed a local Hajj supervisory team in Saudi Arabia. This team consists of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who live in Saudi Arabia and play a role as volunteers to support the supervision of the pilgrimage.

This was conveyed by Dasco in a coordination meeting to prepare for the implementation of the Hajjwas Team in the Banggar DPR RI room, Parliament Complex, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

"We involve local Indonesian citizens who are willing to volunteer. Maybe later they will be given honorariums for food money. They will assist in monitoring crucial points, such as tents, pick-ups, and hospitals. Currently, around 100 people have been collected to support Hajj supervision," said Dasco.

Dasco added that the involvement of local Indonesian citizens is very important because they understand local areas, languages, and characteristics. This is considered to help overcome possible communication constraints, particularly related to food pick-up, transportation, or logistics.

Regarding the assignment policy, Dasco said that his party had coordinated with the Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar and the Hajj Organizing Agency (BPH). He also emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto had given directions so that the process of procuring Hajj services was not monopolized by one vendor.

"Vendors must be more than one in order to create healthy competition and improve service quality. For example, transportation is not only monopolized by state-owned airlines, so it can spur competition to provide the best for the congregation," explained Dasco.

Dasco also revealed that President Prabowo had asked the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to assist the Ministry of Religion and BPH in the process of organizing the hajj. This step was taken to ensure that the implementation of the hajj was transparent and free from corrupt practices.

"The president really appreciates the work of the Hajj Working Committee (Panja) which has succeeded in reducing the cost of Hajj. With an rupiah exchange rate on dollars that should have made costs go up, the hard work of Panja with the government was actually able to reduce these costs," said the daily chairman of the Gerindra DPP.

Dasco hopes that with tighter and more transparent supervision, this year's Hajj can run better and provide comfort and convenience for the congregation.