JAKARTA - The decision of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) to cancel the departure of the Hajj pilgrimage in 2020 has been questioned by Commission VIII of the DPR. Decisions taken unilaterally by the Ministry of Religion without involving Commission VIII are deemed to have violated statutory regulations.
Public Policy Observer Agus Pambagio thinks the decision made by the Ministry of Religion does not violate the rules. However, there are things that the Ministry of Religion has overlooked by not involving Commission VIII.
"Actually, it doesn't violate the rules either, but because it is not discussed (with the DPR RI). There are no articles if they are not discussed, they will go to jail. Political ethics only," said Agus to VOI, Wednesday, June 3.
However, said Agus, Commission VIII did have to criticize this decision. Because, this leads to the context of religion and money. Thus, it must be monitored so that there is no abuse of authority.
However, this problem does not need to be exaggerated. This is because the DPR knows the considerations of the Ministry of Religion in deciding to cancel the 2020 Hajj departure. Moreover, the COVID-19 period is the main basis.
"It should be discussed with the DPR not to rush and ask for consideration. Because this is a matter of religion and money, the DPR should be invited to a discussion," said Agus.
Right decisionCanceling the pilgrimage departure, said Agus, was the right decision. The reason is that, with time running out, the Saudi Arabian side has never confirmed the permits for the pilgrimage.
Besides, it is not an easy matter to prepare all the necessities for many people. Moreover, there is not much time. This is also one of the considerations for canceling Hajj departures.
"Maybe the consideration was that the preparation was not easy. You have to pay this, pay that. Actually there is no certainty from Saudi Arabia either," said Agus.
He said, if the pilgrimage departure was not canceled, the Ministry of Religion had to prepare accommodation and transportation for all the congregation. However, because there is no certainty that these preparations will at times seem futile if there is no permission from Saudi Arabia.
"Preparation with a time of approximately only a month is quite difficult. The plane charter is not yet easy, the plane rental is not easy either. It has not rented hotels, and the congregation's consumption," said Agus.
Previously reported, the government through the Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi decided not to send the hajj pilgrims in 2020 or 1441 Hijriah.
One of the considerations for this decision is the adequacy of a longer time. Because, when choosing to continue sending prospective pilgrims to the pilgrimage, they have to go through a long quarantine period. Pilgrims must be quarantined for two weeks at home before leaving for Saudi Arabia. Then, return to quarantine upon arrival and after returning to their homeland.
Another consideration for cancellation of hajj departures is the matter of maintaining physical distance during worship. This is a concern because pilgrims must implement health protocols to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Maintaining physical distance must also be done during the journey to Saudi Arabia, during the prayer process, until arriving back home.
Then, this step was taken because the Saudi Arabian government has also never opened Hajj access from any country. So, the government does not have enough time to make preparations related to services and protection of the congregation.
With some of these considerations, it was decided not to dispatch the hajj pilgrims in 2020 and it is stated in the Decree of the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia number 494 of 2020 concerning the dismissal of pilgrims.
In making this decision, continued Fachrul, the Ministry of Religion had coordinated with Commission VIII DPR-RI and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) both formally and informally.
"Of course the Ministry of Religion has also communicated with our partner Commission VIII in the DPR about the development of this situation, both through formal communication with work meetings and direct informal communication," said Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi in his online press conference.
This cancellation applies to all Indonesians, whether using regular or special visas. That way, the Hajj trip in 2020 will be temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 period. This decision was taken to maintain the health of the Indonesian people.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
