War Ticket Term for Gaduh, Government Assures that Hajj Discourse without Queue is Still the Way

JAKARTA - Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said his ministry would continue to discuss the haj program without queues, but did not use the term war ticket, after reaping criticism from various circles.

"What is clear is that we need breakthroughs to cut down on this long queue," he told reporters after a working meeting with Commission VIII of the DPR at the DPR/MPR complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, April 14.

Irfan admitted that he would change the term of the haj discourse without a queue by no longer using the word 'war ticket' because it caused a commotion.

"The discussion will still go on, it's just that the term may be a war ticket or whatever the term is," he said.

Later, he said, the Hajj without queues will be carried out through additional quotas from Saudi Arabia.

He ensured that the policy would not cause the queue of pilgrims to be immediately burned.

"What is clear is that we will not burn the queue. So the congregation who has been queuing for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years does not need to worry," he said.

In addition, Irfan is also ready to accommodate the proposal of a number of council members that the Hajj program without queues is intended for disabled and elderly pilgrims.

"This is a long-term discussion, which still needs a lot of discussion from stakeholders, especially from Commission VIII and then from the actors of the Hajj business," he said.

"Especially from the congregation, there are many things, many stakeholders that we have to talk about and this is not a decision in a month or two months, this is definitely long-term," he explained.