Head Of BP Haji Will Accept Any Decisions Regarding Institutional Change If He Becomes Ministry

Hajj (Photo: Antara)

Head of the Hajj Organizing Agency (BP Hajj) Mochammad Irfan Yusuf stated that his institution is ready to implement the government and DPR RI's decision regarding the change of the nomenclature of BP Hajj to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

"If the term is in pesantren, sami 'na wa atho'na. Ordered as a body, we are ready, ordered as a ministry, also ready. However, it will be more flexible if it is in the form of a ministry," said Irfan quoting Antara.

Irfan stated that in principle there had been an agreement regarding the change of institutions into ministries, but formal ratification was still waiting for the knock on the hammer at the DPR plenary meeting.

Even though BP Haji was not present at the Working Committee (Panja) meeting with the DPR RI, his party continued to provide input through the government's Hajj technical team.

"Of course, if later ratified as a ministry, we are grateful. But that is also a big mandate. This is a form of trust from President Pak Prabowo and also the people through the DPR which we must respond with the best service for pilgrims," he said.

BP Haji, he said, had prepared itself from the start for two possibilities, namely to remain as a body or transform into a ministry. The preparation includes the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

"We have prepared hundreds of SOPs, ranging from SOPs for congregation registration to other services. So it's just a matter of adjusting it. If you stay as an agency, we run the agency's SOP. If you become a ministry, we run the ministry's SOP," he said.

He emphasized that changes in institutional status will bring greater responsibility in organizing the pilgrimage.

"This is an extraordinary responsibility. All eyes will be on us. So from the start I emphasize to the whole team, we must not play games. What we hope is that the best service performance for the congregation," he said.

Regarding the needs of personnel, Irfan said there were not many changes at the central level. However, for the regions, personnel adjustments will be made from the structure of the Ministry of Religion.

"For the center, there are not too many additions in the meantime. But in the regions, both provinces and districts/cities, some of the Head of Hajj and Head of Hajj, we will withdraw them to be included in the structure of the Regional Office or the Office of the Ministry of Hajj," he said.

Previously, Commission VIII of the DPR RI together with the government agreed to amend the Hajj Organizing Body (BP) to become a ministry in the discussion of the Draft Law (RUU) on Amendments to Law Number 8 of the Year concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah.

Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI Marwan Dasopang said the article regarding this was agreed in a Working Committee (Panja) meeting of the Hajj Bill which was held this Friday. According to him, the changes are in accordance with what the DPR RI wants.

"The government's DIM (LIST of Problem Inventory) has been approved by the ministry. And we're just happy, it's our proposal," said Marwan.