Regarding The Proposal Of Hajj Fee Of Rp. 69 Million, Jokowi: Still In The Calculation Process, It's Not Final

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Lukas

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the proposed increase in Hajj costs was not final. Studies are still being carried out to regulate the best policies for pilgrims in the country.

"Hajj costs are still in the process of being studied," said President Jokowi while reviewing the construction project for the Ciliwung River drain, East Jakarta, Tuesday, January 24.

Jokowi ensured that the proposed increase in the cost of Hajj of up to Rp. 69 million from the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) had not been decided. So, the public does not need to worry.

Moreover, budget calculations are still being carried out.

"It's not final yet. It's not final yet. It's still in the study process. It's still in the calculation process," he said.

For information, the discourse on increasing the cost of Hajj emerged from the Ministry of Religion during a working meeting with Commission VIII of the DPR RI.

At that time, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said the financing burden was using a 70-30 percent scheme. As much as 70 percent or IDR 69 million is borne by the congregation, while 30 percent or IDR 29.7 million is borne by the government.

Many parties responded to this issue. Related to this, the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Implementation of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Hilman Latief understands that the proposed increase in Hajj costs to Rp. 69 million is not a popular policy. However, for the sake of sustainability and protecting the right to value the benefits of the pilgrims, this is claimed to be done.

"Maybe this proposal is not popular but Gus Men (Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas) did it to protect the right value of the benefits of all Hajj pilgrims while maintaining their sustainability," Hilman said in a written statement, Saturday, January 21.

Hilman said the value of benefits sourced from the management of hajj funds by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) is the right of all pilgrims from the country.

"Including more than 5 million who are still waiting for the queue to leave," he said.