JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the MPR Hidayat Nur Wahid asked the Government to fight for the highest number of best pilgrims from Indonesia through high-level diplomacy from the Ministry of Religion.
"There has been certainty from the Government of Saudi Arabia to open a quota for hajj 1443 Hijri for one million pilgrims, including those from outside their country. For this reason, the Indonesian government needs to immediately ensure more details about the requirements and fight for the best quota for prospective pilgrims from Indonesia," he said. Hidayat Nur Wahid in a statement received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Monday, April 11.
He said President Jokowi could communicate directly with the King of Saudi Arabia in order to get the best quota for prospective pilgrims.
"If it is necessary to prove the seriousness of the Government, President Jokowi can communicate directly with the King of Saudi Arabia so that Indonesia can get the best quota for Hajj pilgrims," he added.
Efforts to optimize the quota of prospective pilgrims from Indonesia, even reaching more than 100 thousand people, are of important value, according to him, because they can cure the longing of Indonesian Muslims to carry out the fifth pillar of Islam.
In addition, these efforts can also prevent the occurrence of increasingly long queues for prospective pilgrims from Indonesia.
In addition to the issue of quotas, he also asked the Ministry of Religion to prepare all technical issues for Hajj departures, either through internal preparations, coordination with Commission VIII of the DPR, as well as communication or socialization with Islamic organizations and various associations that organize Hajj and Umrah.
The urge arose because there was little time left before the departure of the 1443 Hijri pilgrims who were expected to depart on June 5, 2022, he said.
In particular, he asked the Ministry of Religion to ensure that the selection process for prospective hajj pilgrims went well, fairly, and was acceptable to all prospective pilgrims who had waited since 2020. He also hoped that the government would not increase the cost of the pilgrimage (Bipih).
Based on the Annual Budget Work Plan (RKAT) of the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH), Bipih in 2022 is projected to be IDR 38.745 million.
However, based on the report from the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah (PHU) of the Ministry of Religion to Commission VIII of the DPR, Bipih without strict health protocols is projected to be Rp. 42 million.
"We hope that the Ministry of Religion proposes a more rational Bipih figure and does not burden hajj pilgrims. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has also stopped imposing charges that have an impact on additional financing. Thus, the departure of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in 2022 can run peacefully and safely without causing problems," " he said.
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