Palace Signals Gus Irfan To Become Minister Of Hajj And Umrah In The Prabowo Era

Illustration of Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Palace has given a strong signal that Mochamad Irfan Yusuf or Gus Irfan will be appointed by President Prabowo Subianto as minister of Hajj and Umrah. Currently, Gus Irfan is the head of the Hajj and Umrah Organizing Agency (BP Hajj) which will soon transform into a ministry.

Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi said the appointment of Gus Irfan was very possible. "Possibly like that (Gus Irfan became minister of Hajj and Umrah)," he said.

Even so, Prasetyo emphasized that the certainty of the minister's name is still waiting for President Prabowo's decision. Appointment of ministers is the prerogative of the head of state.

Furthermore, Prabowo will issue a presidential regulation (Perpres) to inaugurate the establishment of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This step was taken after the DPR ratified the revision of Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah.

"If it has been decided and the diaj signs (perpres), automatically appoints the minister," explained Prasetyo.

In addition to leading BP Haji, Gus Irfan is also active in the Nahdlatul Ulama organization as deputy chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Economic Institute (LPNU). He is also known as a Gerindra Party cadre, a political party led by President Prabowo Subianto.