Coordinating Ministry For Human Development And Culture Calls The Establishment Of The Ministry Of Hajj Currently Not Urgent

Illustration of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) stated that the proposal to form a special ministry to deal with hajj problems has not been urgent. According to them, the best solution in organizing the hajj at this time is not the formation of a new ministry.

The proposal for the formation of the Ministry of Hajj was previously submitted by the Chairman of the DPR's Budget Agency, Said Abdullah, in a meeting with the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

Deputy VI for Coordination for Education Quality Improvement and Religious Moderation of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Warsito, explained that the implementation of the pilgrimage was not only handled by the Ministry of Religion, but also involved several other relevant ministries and institutions, such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH), and other relevant stakeholders.

"What is needed is to strengthen coordination and expand the involvement of ministries/agencies (K/L) to support the improvement of Hajj services. The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture should ideally be given full authority to coordinate K/L and have veto rights to regulate K/L," said Wasito in his statement, Tuesday, June 11.

Even so, Warsito emphasized that the establishment of the Ministry of Hajj is the prerogative of the elected President, Prabowo Subianto. This will determine whether to become a new nomenclature in the cabinet or not.

Warsito explained that the Ministry of Religion acts as a regulator who sets policies for the implementation of hajj every year. In addition, the Ministry of Religion also acts as a hajj operator who determines practical aspects such as accommodation, catering, and hajj costs with the approval of the DPR.

BPKH, in accordance with Law Number 34 of 2014 concerning Hajj Financial Management, is tasked with independently and professionally managing the hajj financial aspect. Emphasis on the role of BPKH is to support the Ministry of Religion's duties in organizing hajj, not creating dualism.

Warsito emphasized that this system does not experience dualism, but supports each other between the Ministry of Religion and BPKH. In addition, Indonesia does not feel urged to form a Ministry of Hajj like in Saudi Arabia, because Hajj management in Indonesia is carried out across ministries and institutions.