Prabowo Instructs The Implementation Of Corruption-Free And Cartel Hajj

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the implementation of Hajj in Indonesia is free from corrupt practices and cartel games. The instruction was conveyed to Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak after his inauguration at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday 8 September.

According to Dahnil, President Prabowo emphasized that there should be no tolerance for any form of deviation in the hajj sector.

"The president ordered me to make sure not to hesitate regarding corrupt practices so that they are swept away. Likewise with the practice of cartels in the pilgrimage," said Dahnil.

Prabowo, continued Dahnil, wants the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to become a clean and professional institution. The main focus is to improve services so that the congregation gets a more secure, comfortable, and transparent worship experience.

"The focus of the president is there. Hajj services must be better, and ensure that corrupt practices and cartels no longer exist," he stressed.

Dahnil also revealed that from the start he was assigned as deputy head of the Hajj Organizing Agency (BP Hajj), President Prabowo had provided him with a number of data related to alleged cartel practices in organizing Hajj.

Dahnil explained that the operational budget of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah came entirely from the APBN. Meanwhile, the cost of organizing the Hajj, including transportation, is financed from congregational funds managed by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH).

"For example, for airplanes, departures, everything is financed by the congregation's funds," he said.

President Prabowo's instruction is a strong signal that the government is committed to improving the governance of Hajj so that it is more transparent, accountable, and free from detrimental practices for pilgrims.