SMEs Protest 'Subsidy' Term On Hajj Fund: Not In Law And Degrading The Dignity Of Pilgrims

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JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PKS faction, Bukhori Yusuf, criticized the term 'subsidy' in the mention of hajj pilgrims' funds. The reason, he said, was that the funds which had been called 'subsidies' actually came from the congregation's funds which were entrusted to the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) to be managed.

According to him, the use of the term subsidy for pilgrims needs to be reviewed in order to place the position of the pilgrims in an honorable manner. In addition, said Bukhori, the term subsidy does not exist in the law.

"In addition to creating an impression that demeans the dignity of the congregation, the use of the term subsidy is also not found in Law 34/2014 on Hajj Financial Management," said Bukhori to reporters, Wednesday, March 23.

This member of the Legislative Body considers that BPKH must use the logic of the laws and regulations so that it is appropriate to see the position of the pilgrims. Bukhori also explained the sound of Law 34/2014 on Hajj Financial Management, specifically Article 6 and Article 7.

Article 6 states, "Deposits of BPIH and/or Special BPIH as referred to in paragraph (1) are paid to an account in the name of BPKH in their position as legal representatives of the Hajj Pilgrims in the Hajj Cash through BPS BPIH".

Meanwhile, Article 7 reads, "Deposits of BPIH and/or Special BPIH as referred to in Article 5 letter a are funds deposited by Hajj Pilgrims for the Organization of the Hajj".

In addition, in the explanation section of Article 7 Paragraph (1) it is also explained that the funds deposited by pilgrims are funds that are not recorded in the APBN.

"On that basis, we consider it necessary to review the term in order to realize the principles of justice and proportionality in viewing the issue of pilgrims," he explained.

Bukhori said that in 2021, the realization of funds managed by BPKH will reach Rp. 158.77 trillion with a total benefit value of Rp. 10.51 trillion. The managed funds come from deposit funds from 270,534 congregations managed by BPKH through two instruments, namely investment (71 percent) and placements in Islamic banks (29 percent).

Therefore, according to him, there is a perception that must be corrected regarding the use of the term subsidy for pilgrims. This is because funds that have been considered as subsidies are actually sourced from congregational deposits managed by BPKH, thus generating value for benefits.

"This value of benefits is used to overcome the real costs of organizing the pilgrimage. Thus, it is not appropriate if the value of this benefit is called a subsidy," he said.

Previously, the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) suggested that the cost of pilgrimage travel (Bipih) in 1443H/2022 would not increase. BPKH asked Commission VIII of the DPR to participate in proposing that Bipih not increase this year.

The Ministry of Religion previously proposed that the cost of performing this year's pilgrimage would increase to IDR 42 million per congregation.

In a joint hearing with Commission VIII of the DPR, Head of BPKH Anggito Abimanyu, explained that the budget prepared for the management of the pilgrimage was Rp. 156.233 trillion. This amount is the same as last year because the money is not used.

Anggito hopes that this year Indonesia will be able to send pilgrims to the holy land so that the management funds do not increase.

"This year it is hoped that there will be 100 percent hajj departures, otherwise the management funds will be higher," said Anggito Abimanyu during a meeting at the DPR building, Monday, March 21.

BPKH also asked Commission VIII of the DPR and the Ministry of Religion to ensure the number of hajj quotas so that the need for funds can be determined immediately. He suggested that the cost of this year's hajj trip should not increase.

"BPKH recommends that Commission VIII can facilitate the certainty of hajj quotas, also suggest that the cost of hajj travel does not increase, Bipih can be adjusted, the contribution of the state budget in the process, and negotiations on tax deferrals," he said.

In addition, Anggito said that his party had not yet received confirmation from the Ministry of Religion's Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU) regarding the number of Bipih. Regarding the Hajj subsidy, he explained, it had increased in 2016 and the subsidy was balanced with Bipih in 2019.

"In 2013 the portion of the subsidy was much smaller (Rp 13.9 million) than the Bipih (Rp 33.9 million). In 2016, the portion of Bipih was fixed (Rp 34.6 million) but the subsidy was added quite large (Rp 25.4 million). Then in 2019 it was a balance between subsidies and Bipih (Rp. 35.4 million and Rp. 35.2 million), the burden of the congregation and fixed subsidies. In 2022, we just heard about the Bipih plan," he explained.

However, Anggito said that his party had not yet received a document from the PHU regarding the Bipih draft.

"To be honest, we haven't received the documents from PHU. They haven't given them. We're just waiting on what the Ministry of Religion's policy will be and what direction from Commission VIII we will fulfill. From finances, God willing, we will fulfill it," he said.