Yaqut's Legal Representative Reveals the Reason for the Distribution of the Hajj Quota, There is Pressure on the Value of Benefits Fund

The lawyer for former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Mellisa Anggraini (left)/DOK IST

JAKARTA - The lawyer for former Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Mellisa Anggraini, revealed the reason behind the allocation of additional Hajj quotas in 2023 which was finally determined with a scheme of 92 percent for regular Hajj pilgrims and 8 percent for special Hajj.

Mellisa said the policy was not unilaterally decided by Yaqut. According to him, the additional quota distribution was also discussed with the DPR after the Ministry of Religion proposed that all additional quotas be given to regular pilgrims.

"For the additional quota in 2023, Gus Yaqut immediately made it in a proposal letter, all additional quotas were given to regular," said Mellisa in a press conference in the Grand Wijaya area, Cipete, South Jakarta, Monday, August 10.

He said Yaqut initially proposed that 100 percent of the additional quota be given to regular pilgrims. However, the proposal received resistance from the DPR on the grounds of using the value of benefits managed by the Hajj Finance Management Agency (BPKH).

Mellisa explained that the cost of organizing the hajj or BPIH reached around Rp. 93 million per pilgrim. Meanwhile, regular hajj pilgrims only pay around Rp. 56 million, while the rest is covered using the value of benefits.

According to him, the DPR at that time considered the continuation of the value of benefits if all additional quotas were also given to regular pilgrims.

"The DPR said, if it is forced to have a basic quota of 221,000 and then divided by a scheme of 92 percent for regular, it must be given all the subsidy funds. But if suddenly you get an additional quota of 10,000, then if you get 20,000, 30,000, then at the same time the value of the benefits is poured, it's over," said Mellisa.

Based on these considerations, the allocation of additional Hajj quotas for 2023 was finally determined with a 92:8 scheme. Mellisa assessed that the decision is now one of the issues that are being disputed in the alleged corruption case in the implementation of the hajj.

"2023 with the additional quota of 8,000, the mitigation pressure on the safety of foreign pilgrims is extraordinary," he said.

Additional Quota Can't Just Be Calculated Numbers

Mellisa also explained why Yaqut did not immediately take every additional quota offer given by the Saudi government.

He gave an example in 2022, when Saudi Arabia offered an additional 10,000 quotas only nine days before the closure of visas. According to Mellisa, this condition makes it difficult to realize additional quotas because the preparation of departure of pilgrims takes time.

"This quota is indeed a number, but its implementation, its mechanism cannot be with numbers. Because it has an impact on the congregation's service," he said.

According to Mellisa, a number of aspects must be prepared when additional quotas are given, ranging from transportation, flights, flight slots, accommodation, embarkation to Hajj officers.

Therefore, he said, Yaqut at that time prioritized the principle of Hifzun Nafs or maintaining the safety of the congregation's souls.

"The congregation is definitely immediate, this is what is sent out, not the suitcase, there is the life of the congregation," he said.

Mellisa emphasized that the safety principle is in line with Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of the Hajj and Umrah. According to him, the spirit of the regulation is service, guidance, and the safety of the congregation.

2024 is the largest additional quota

Mellisa then compared the policy with the provision of additional quotas in 2024. According to him, the additional quota of 20,000 pilgrims in 2024 is the largest in Indonesia's history.

"2024 is being touted as a major issue, where there is the largest additional quota in the history of Indonesia, the largest quota is 20,000. There has never been another," said Mellisa.

He said the additional 20,000 quota was the result of the President's direct efforts. Meanwhile, Yaqut, he said, was not involved when the request for the additional quota was made.

Mellisa also touched on the conditions of 2025 and 2026. According to him, no additional quotas were taken in both years.

In fact, in 2026, he said, there were still around 680 unused regular Hajj quotas.

"In 2025 we have the opportunity to obtain additional quotas, not taken. In 2026, additional quotas are zero," he said.

Yaqut Called Attention to Elderly Pilgrims

Mellisa said that Yaqut's decision to seek additional quotas in 2023 was also related to the large number of elderly pilgrims who had previously delayed their departure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2020 and 2021, Indonesia did not send pilgrims because Saudi Arabia did not allow departure from Indonesia. Meanwhile, in 2022, departures were resumed with restrictions, one of which was a maximum age limit of 65 years.

When the age restriction is lifted in 2023, the number of Indonesian elderly pilgrims is said to reach around 65,000 people.

"Then Gus Yaqut is concerned about elderly pilgrims, the tagline Haji Ramah Lansia emerged," said Mellisa.

Therefore, according to Mellisa, the additional quota request in 2023 is carried out to accommodate pilgrims, especially those who were previously delayed in their departure, without neglecting safety aspects.

He emphasized that Yaqut proposed that all additional quotas be given to regular pilgrims, not for the interests of certain parties, but because of considerations for serving pilgrims.

"Gus Yaqut wants it 100 percent. There is no interest of anyone, the interest is only one: the interest of the congregation," he said.