JAKARTA - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is designing the implementation of the hajj for 2027 and reviewing the framework for 2028, as an early anticipation of various operational and financial challenges.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said that one of the challenges that is being sought a solution in a cross-sectoral manner is the trend of rising fuel prices (avtur), which directly affects the components of the cost of Hajj.
"Friends are currently starting to plan for 2027 and 2028. We have maximized the budget at various points. However, with the challenge of avtur prices, we are looking for the best possible formula that can be used," said Menhaj in Mecca, Sunday.
In the process of preparing the long-term financial policy, the Ministry of Religion will continue to coordinate intensively with the Haji Finance Management Agency (BPKH) and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia.
Financial readiness is a crucial factor, especially with the opportunity for additional Hajj quotas in the future.
"Technically, operationally, God willing, we are ready. However, what has always been our main consideration is from the financial side, whether the readiness of BPKH is in line with these plans. We are mapping all of this," said Menhaj.
The cost component of the flight is one of the largest contributing proportions in the total cost of Hajj (BPIH) in Indonesia.
Fluctuations in the price of aviation fuel (avtur) in the global market, coupled with the dynamics of the exchange rate of the currency, will automatically have a direct impact on the cost burden that must be borne.
If it is not mitigated early, the surge in jet fuel prices has the potential to raise the Hajj Travel Cost (Bipih) which is directly charged to prospective pilgrims.
In the national haj management ecosystem, BPKH and the DPR RI play a vital role in determining the financing structure.
BPKH is responsible for managing the initial deposit funds of pilgrims so that it generates "benefit value" (subsidies) which are used to cover the difference between the actual cost of the hajj and the cost paid by the pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the DPR RI is authorized to discuss and approve the percentage of the burden sharing of the cost, so that intensive coordination across institutions is required so that the decisions taken do not harm the pilgrims or threaten the cash balance of the Hajj fund.
The ministry's steps to design mitigation and operational efficiency from a long time ago, for the 2027 and 2028 projections, are also inseparable from Indonesia's position as the largest pilgrim sending country in the world.
Long-term financial planning is needed not only to secure airline contracts and accommodation in Saudi Arabia at the best prices, but also to maintain the principle of the sustainability of the Hajj fund.
This is important so that the value of the benefit subsidy can still be enjoyed by millions of prospective pilgrims who are still on the waiting list in the future.
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