DPR Proposes Hajj Pilgrims' Residence In Saudi Arabia To Be Cut To 30 Days

Illustration-(DOC ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI Marwan Dasopang said that his party proposed a new scheme for the departure of pilgrims to be more efficient, after the Draft Law (RUU) on the Third Amendment to Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah was ratified.

One of his proposals is related to cutting the congregation's stay from 41 days to 30 days.

"We want the time to be cut from 41 days to 30 days," said Marwan at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, July 25.

According to Marwan, cutting this duration will minimize hajj financing while at the same time easing pilgrims, without reducing service quality.

"If the President is pleased to convince the Saudi or King, we can use the airport in Taif. On technical calculations it is possible," he continued.

Furthermore, Marwan emphasized that discussions related to the distribution of additional quotas must be carried out with the DPR and the government. This is considering the fluctuations in the amount offered by Saudi Arabia.

"This additional quota can be 10 thousand, 20 thousand, or 30 thousand. But the government may not suddenly divide 50 thousand because it will erode the rights of regular pilgrims who have been waiting in line for a long time," he said.

The legislator of the PKB electoral district of North Sumatra II added that the regular quota remains in the 92 percent and 8 percent scheme, while the additional quota will be discussed specifically at Commission VIII.

"If BPKH's finances are unable to bear subsidies, then the composition of 92 percent and 8 percent cannot be applied. So it must be discussed in the DPR," he said.

Marwan added that the discussion of the costs of organizing the Hajj (BPIH) will also be accelerated through the Commission VIII Working Committee (Panja) of the DPR. He emphasized that the committee could be formed immediately without waiting for the accountability report for the previous Hajj implementation.

"We will have a meeting at Commission VIII to speed it up. Without waiting for an accountability report, the committee can immediately work, so that we can anticipate Saudi regulations that are getting tighter," he concluded.