The House Of Representatives Must Be 'Wishy' About Plans To Increase Hajj Costs

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JAKARTA - The DPR's proposal which emphasizes the importance of the ability of pilgrims regarding plans to increase the cost of organizing Hajj (BPIH) in 2024 is considered appropriate. The DPR is considered to show efforts to fight for the rights of people who want to perform the pilgrimage.

"The DPR's attitude is very kind by of fighting for the rights of the community, but if this has become a necessity and must rise, it must be discussed together," said Secretary General (Secretary General) of the Muslim Association of Hajj and Umrah Organizers of the Republic of Indonesia (Amphuri), Farid Aljawi, Thursday, November 16.

The DPR through Commission VIII of the DPR stated that it would review the proposal to increase the cost of Hajj through the BPIH Working Committee (Panja) 1445 H/2023 M. Commission VIII of the DPR also reminded that the increase in BPIH should pay attention to the ability of the congregation.

The proposed increase in the cost of Hajj proposed by the Ministry of Religion is IDR 105 million per congregation. This amount is an increase compared to the 2023 Hajj costs which are in the range of IDR 90 million.

The proposed cost of Rp. 105 million per congregation is for financing how many components, such as flight costs, accommodation, consumption, transportation, services at Arafah-Muzdalifah-Mina (Armuzna). Then for protection, embarkation and debarkation, immigration, insurance, travel documents, living expenses, coaching, public services, and BPIH management.

BPIH itself comes from two components, namely the costs borne by each congregation or the Hajj Travel Fee (Bipih), and the value of benefits (optimization) that will be borne by the Government through the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH).

Regarding the costs of the 2024 Hajj or Bipih charged to each congregation, it will only be determined after the BPIH proposal gets an agreement with the DPR. In 2023, it was agreed that the Bipih fee paid by the congregation was Rp. 49,812,700.26 (55.3%), while those sourced from the average benefit value of Rp. 40,237,937 (44.7%).

With the proposed increase in BPIH, Farid emphasized that the DPR should question the reason for the Ministry of Religion to increase the cost of Hajj. Commission VIII of the DPR has confirmed that it will review which elements have increased so that the reasons for changing costs can be known.

"So I ask the DPR to continue to fight, detailed in all lines. Starting from lodging to from the aviation side. Because now people can see, don't let people judge the difference in costs in each line. So it must be explained in detail as well," explained Farid.

If there is an increase in BPIH, it is hoped that the figure will not be too significant from the previous Hajj costs. That way, said Farid, the cost of Hajj in 2024 will not burden the pilgrims who will go to the holy land.

"But even if there is an increase, there is no need to be significant, it must be studied which one can be cut. Is it from the transportation side, whether from the flight. Because the flight almost controls about 40 percent of the total cost of Hajj," he said.

"So it is very important to escort from the DPR so that the increase in the cost of Hajj still makes sense and does not burden the people who are going to go for Hajj," Farid continued.

In addition, the DPR is said to be able to oversee efforts made by the Government to convince Saudi Arabia regarding which costs may be reduced. According to Farid, this can be done considering that Indonesia is the country that contributes to the largest Hajj pilgrims.

"Because we really realize that there are costs that must go up, but we know that Indonesia is the largest contributor to Hajj pilgrims, so we can make it easier with various items issued. So it must be negotiated with Saudi Arabia," he said.

The Ministry of Religion claims that the increase in BPIH was motivated by a number of factors. One of them is due to the increase in exchange rates, both US dollars (US) and Saudi Arabia's Riyal which have an impact on increasing service costs.

Even so, Farid agreed with the DPR to remind that if there is an increase in the cost of Hajj, the amount is adjusted to the needs and abilities of the congregation. He also reminded that BPIH discussions should be carried out transparently.

"If it becomes a joint agreement, the components of the costs of the increase with yesterday's costs must be published to the public," said Farid.

Farid also agreed with the DPR which emphasized that the BPIH's planned increase would be accompanied by an increase in Hajj services. Especially so that how the Government can facilitate the elderly (elderly) pilgrims to the fullest. Because, said Farid, almost 60 percent of Hajj pilgrims from Indonesia have reached old age.

"These seniors need friends from their families, lest they have registered for Hajj, the queue has reached 20 years, when Hajj is no longer possible for normal activities," he said.

"If he is not accompanied by the family, he cannot worship optimally. In the end, it becomes less good, in vain. So the companion must be from the family, the portion must be there," continued Farid.

In addition, Farid also highlighted consumption for the elderly during the pilgrimage. He considered that the supervision from the DPR could ensure that the Government was more observant in paying attention to food affairs for the elderly considering that many elderly were experiencing health problems.

Farid said, based on experience so far, many food dishes from committees for Hajj organizers were not eaten by the elderly.

"The utilization must really be felt by Manula, for example, the food that is suitable for consumption will definitely be eaten by him, so if a companion of worship is provided, it can be maximized," he explained.

Previously, Commission VIII of the DPR RI emphasized that it would review the Ministry of Religion's proposal regarding the increase in BPIH for 2024. The proposal to increase the cost of Hajj is emphasized to prioritize the value of the ability of pilgrims or istitha'ah.

"We must also pay attention to the aspect of justice in using the value of benefits and prioritizing the ability of the congregation or istitha'ah," said Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI, Ace Hasan Syadzily, Tuesday (14/10).

The chairman of the DPR's Religious Commission ensured that the BPIH Panja would review which elements of the hajj costs component had increased. That way, according to Ace, the reason for the changes to BPIH can be known next year.

"We will investigate where the proposed increase in costs from the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia is. What components of the Hajj costs have increased. What are the costs that have increased, both in Saudi Arabia and domestic services," explained the legislator from the West Java II electoral district.

Ace said the BPIH Working Committee would resolve the issue of the cost of departing Indonesian pilgrims to the holy land. Of course, by prioritizing the value of the abilities and abilities of the pilgrims from Indonesia.

"In principle, Commission VIII of the DPR RI will try to pay the Hajj paid by the congregation next year, not too much increase compared to the previous year," explained Ace.

Even if there is an increase, Ace reminds the Government to improve the system of implementing the Hajj. The hope is that the shortcomings that had occurred a lot during the previous Hajj do not happen again in the future.

Thus, Indonesian Hajj pilgrims can carry out the 5th Islamic pillars solemnly and tawadhu. The increase in the cost of Hajj must be accompanied by an increase in facilities.

"Of course we want to encourage congregational services and facilities for Hajj next year to be much better than in previous years," concluded Ace.