The Government Invites SOEs To Be Involved In The Study Of The Hajj Village Development Plan In Makkah

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (left), Head of BP Haji Muhammad Irfan Yusuf (center) and Deputy BP Haji Dahnil Anzar. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto plans to build a special area for Indonesian pilgrims in Makkah, or called the Hajj village.

The government also invited SOEs to be involved in the infrastructure development study.

The plan was disclosed by SOE Minister Erick Thohir after meeting with the Head of BP Haji Muhammad Irfan Yusuf and Deputy Head of BP Haji Dahani Anzar at the Ministry of SOEs Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 18.

Regarding the plan, Erick said that there had been initial discussions between the Ministry of SOEs, BP Haji and PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero) Tbk or PTPP.

"Again, we are looking at whether it is possible that our big dreams are of course Mr. Prabowo, especially those who have repeatedly stated, try to see how there is an Indonesian village, especially Indonesian houses for integrated Hajj services," said Erick at the Ministry of SOEs Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 18.

Erick explained that PTPP was involved in the discussion to provide views regarding the possibility of building the Hajj village.

"One of them is we try to discuss how well it is, because PP itself has experience in building a lot of infrastructure. So that's the experience we are trying to synergize," he said.

However, Erick said there had been no discussion about PTPP being the contractor, nor the decision to involve BUMN in the plan.

"No. It's too early to talk like that," he said.

Therefore, Erick emphasized that the construction of the Hajj congregation village in Makkah is still in the early discussion stage.

He said, discussions were needed with various parties, before this plan was realized.

"Of course we haven't had a wide discussion because this is still a thought we are trying to see," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of BP Haji Muhammad Irfan Yusuf said the Indonesian Hajj village would be built in Makkah. However, he admitted that there were no details regarding the plan.

"That's what the President also said. He hopes that we have a kind of Indonesian Hajj village in Mecca, but we will explore the technicalities later," said Irfan.

Furthermore, Irfan said, the construction of the village of the pilgrims is also not necessarily carried out by PTPP.

"No. It's too early to talk like that. But we'll put together various thoughts to make a foothold later," said Irfan.