Gerindra Legislator: Ironic, Minister Of Religion Can't Get Planes Back To Indonesia

Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR from the Gerindra faction, Abdul Wachid (white clothes). Photo: Nailin/VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR from the Gerindra faction, Abdul Wachid, felt ironic because the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was not present at the last working meeting at the DPR for reasons of not getting a plane ticket to return to Indonesia. It is known that Minister Yaqut is in France because of state duties.

Moreover, there is no longer time to meet with Minister of Religion Yaqut because the Indonesian House of Representatives will end the 2019-2024 term by holding a plenary meeting on Monday, September 30.

"We only have 3 days left, if we count it, it's only 74 hours. Today we will actually evaluate the 2024 Hajj that has been implemented and we think our friends want to discuss it with the Minister of Religion because the one responsible for the Hajj is the Minister of Religion," said Abdul Wachid during a meeting in the House of Representatives Commission VIII room, Senayan, Friday, September 27.

In addition to evaluating the implementation of the 2024 Hajj, Wachid continued, Commission VIII of the DPR also wants to summarize the results of the performance with Minister of Religion Yaqut for the last 4 years. Because Yaqut was a replacement for the previous Minister of Religion, Fachrul Razi.

"However, we deeply regret that today he was not present, even this was the second invitation. If it is true that his assignment abroad has been scheduled, because of this working meeting, if we, the weight of the working meeting is in accordance with the law. So he should be present representing the government, representing the president, Mr. Jokowi, because he is an assistant to the President Jokowi," said the Gerindra legislator.

According to Wachid, Minister of Religion Yaqut must reflect on the attitude of statesmanship of President Joko Widodo who is increasingly diligent in socializing at the end of his term of office. He even apologized to the Indonesian people if there was a shortage while carrying out their duties as president of the Republic of Indonesia.

"And he also advised the public until I saw on social media in Kalimantan he said that the public was asked to continue to actively communicate with the president and Pak Prabowo was asked to continue his programs," explained Wachid.

"This should be the minister like that, moreover I see that he is a leader, not only leading one institution that dares to be present, so he should be present," he continued.

Wachid also regretted that in the minister's class, Yaqut could not get a ticket back to Indonesia. In fact, the meeting schedule has been scheduled since Monday, September 23.

"But I had a talk to the secretary general because he didn't get the plane back to his homeland, this is very ironic," he quipped.

Wachid hopes that similar incidents will not happen again in the next government. Where should the minister attend the last meeting with the DPR RI.

"I beg you, ladies and gentlemen, who will continue in the next government, I beg you, especially the partners of Commission VIII, don't repeat it. Because frankly, we will evaluate this, we will measure the implementation of the 2025 Hajj, so we will improve it. Even at the Special Committee there is an intention of friends to improve the Hajj in the future. Now, here is a stronger meeting place than the meeting at the special committee, we are at the working meeting. Therefore, the leadership, this is not legally possible," said Wachid.

"So apologize from the (Ministry) of Transportation, the health of Garuda who has taken the time, apologize very much because one person is the determinant and will be a note to the Ministry of Religion travel country for 5 five years, it turns out that at the end of the term of office whose landing is not very smooth, which we really regret," he concluded.