There Is A Potential Increase In The Cost Of Hajj In 2021, This Is The Reason

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JAKARTA - Acting Director General of Haj and Umrah Implementation of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Khoirizi H Dasir emphasized that the determination of fees or costs for organizing the Hajj pilgrimage (BPIH) 1442 H / 2021 has not been decided because it will still be discussed at a work committee meeting.

"There is no stipulation yet. This year's Hajj costs are still being discussed intensively by the Working Committee of the Ministry of Religion and Commission VIII of the DPR," Khoirizi said in a statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 7.

According to him, the figure of the increase that appeared as much as Rp9.1 million per person in the Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Commission VIII DPR, Tuesday, April 6, was only a scenario or an illustration. He said, until now the Ministry of Religion and the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) have not been able to determine the amount of this year's Haj costs.

Khoirizi explained, discussing the costs of the hajj was included in the preparation and mitigation stages of organizing the pilgrimage during the COVID-19 pandemic. While waiting for official information regarding the certainty of the 2021 pilgrims' departure quota from the Saudi Arabian government.

"Because there is no certainty on the quota, the discussion on the cost of Hajj is based on an assumptive scenario. Starting from the quota of 30 percent, 25 percent, 20 percent, even up to only 5 percent," he said.

Nevertheless, Khoirizi did not deny the potential for an increase in the cost of Hajj in 2021. This is because, he said, there are three factors that influence, namely an increase in the dollar exchange rate, an increase in taxes from 5 percent to 15 percent, and the necessity to implement health protocols.

"Haj during the pandemic requires swab checks, maintaining distance, and limiting room capacity. There are also quarantines and others. All of this will certainly have an impact on the cost of Hajj," he said.

Previously, the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) had projected an increase in the cost of organizing Hajj (BPIH) for 2021 of around Rp.9.1 million per person.

With details, for the non-subsidized cost, which was initially Rp. 35.2 million to around Rp. 44 million per person. Meanwhile, the subsidy is Rp.43.11 million from Rp.33.9 million. This figure is based on a 25 percent quota scenario.

"So there is an increase of Rp. 9.1 million. This has been discussed in the FGD," he said

Head of BPKH Anggito Abimanyu in a Hearing Meeting with Commission VIII DPR RI, Tuesday, April 6.

Anggito explained a number of factors that led to the increase in the cost of Hajj in 2021. Among them, the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate, the increase in the cost of Hajj flights, and accommodation while in Saudi Arabia.