Coordinating Minister For Human Development And Culture Muhadjir: It Is Recommended That Hajj Costs Increase, Be Carried Out Step By Step

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK), Muhadjir Effendy (ANTARA)

SEMARANG - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Muhadjir Effendy suggested that the increase in the cost of Hajj 2023 travel should be carried out in stages.

"I have advised the Minister of Religion so that the cost of Hajj increases will be carried out gradually," said Muhadjir, quoted on Tuesday, January 31.

He admitted, the increase in the cost of Hajj this year must indeed be done to maintain the sustainability of the Hajj, considering that the costs of the pilgrimage (Bipih) have been below the value that the pilgrims should have paid.

This means that the government provides subsidies indirectly, because the congregation pays the Bipiah below what should be paid.

"It's not a matter of relevance or not. The increase (Bipih) must be because the cost of Hajj has been below the value that the congregation should have paid," said Muhadjir.

However, Muhadjir said that the Bipih increase should be implemented in stages so as not to burden the congregation too much.

"If it suddenly (increases the cost of Hajj) it's a pity, too heavy," he concluded.

The Ministry of Religion proposes a mean Bipih Year 1444 Hijri/2023 AD amounting to IDR 69,193,733 per person, higher than the cost of the pilgrimage trip in 2022 which is set at IDR 39,886,009 per person.

In a joint working meeting with Commission VIII DPR RI on January 19, 2023, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas explained that the proposed average cost of Hajj travel covers 70 percent of the proposed average Hajj Implementation Fee (BPIH) of IDR 98,893,909 per person.

The BPIH value proposed in 2023, according to him, increased by Rp514,888 when compared to the previous year because there was a significant change in BPIH composition.

"That is the government's suggestion. In our opinion, it is the most logical thing to maintain that (the funds) in the BPKH (Hajj Financial Management Agency) are not eroded, yes, with such a composition," said the Minister of Religion.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo also said that the cost of Hajj trips in 2023 is still under review and has not yet been finalized which will be discussed with the DPR.

"The cost of Hajj is still in the process of being studied, it is not final. It is still in the process of being studied, it is still in the process of calculating," said President Jokowi.