BPIH's Angka Masih Too High, Commission VIII DPR Meeting Maraton Check Fees Per Component

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JAKARTA - Commission VIII of the House of Representatives regrets the increase in the cost of organizing the Hajj (BPIH) in 2023 which is still too high. The reason is, even though it has been reduced from a total of IDR 98.8 million to IDR 96.4 million, the increase in Hajj costs which only decreased by IDR 2.4 million will burden prospective pilgrims.

In order to reduce the high cost of Hajj mentioned by the government, Commission VIII of the House of Representatives is holding a marathon meeting to cut costs per component. Both transportation, accommodation and others. "Commission VIII is discussing to cut these costs. These meetings are ongoing," said member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, MF Nurhuda Yusro, to VOI, Thursday, February 9. The Central Java electoral district PKS legislator understands inflation and other reasons about rising prices. Therefore, Commission VIII must check the details of each component, which is irrational and can be lowered. "So we can't say how much the figure is suppressed. What is certain is that we hope not to burden prospective pilgrims," explained Nurhuda. Nurhuda revealed, many aspirations of prospective pilgrims want a reduction in costs, because they have paid off and are postponed. So it's a pity if prospective pilgrims have to be told to pay again.

The PKB politician also considered that if there was an increase, it should be carried out in stages, not directly charged to all hajj candidates this year.

"One more thing. The people of the pilgrimage have a principle of istithoah, namely the ability of everything to carry out the pilgrimage. There are physical abilities, psychological abilities, including the financial ability of prospective pilgrims. Well, when they registered a few years ago, let alone paid off, it means that they have fulfilled the principles of istithoah. It means that they are capable. It's just that they are delayed because of the length of the queue, coupled with delays in departure due to the pandemic. Now, suddenly the cost goes up, even though they have been paid off, they are capable," explained Nurhuda. Even so, Nurhuda said, Commission VIII DPR will soon decide the certainty of the 2023 hajj costs after the marathon meeting to check costs per component today.

"We will decide as soon as possible. That's why this is a marathon meeting to check per component," said Nurhuda. Previously, the government lowered the BPIH 2023 proposal of Rp. 2.4 million from the initial proposal. With the proposal for a decrease, the total cost of Hajj in 2023 is now Rp. 96.4 million from the original Rp. 98.8 million. However, the government has not detailed whether the decrease will be taken from the costs charged to the congregation or from the value of the benefits of the hajj funds.

"And we convey that from our overall study, for direct and direct cost, the proposal per congregation was still Rp. 98.8 million, then to Rp. 96.4 million, which was reduced by Rp. 2.4 million," said the Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion, Hilman Latief, in a meeting at the Parliament Complex, Wednesday, February 8.

Hilman detailed the decrease of Rp. 2 million was obtained after his party rationalized several financing details. Both from accommodation while in the country and while in Saudi Arabia. For example, in one of the points of exposure, from around Rp. 11,000 to around Rp. 10 thousand. Then, services while at the Embarkation from Rp. 114 thousand to Rp. 98 thousand. Both are details of financing for the congregation while still at home.

Previously, the Government through the Ministry of Religion proposed an increase in BPIH 2023 of IDR 98.8 million per prospective congregation. Of that amount, each congregation will be burdened with 70 percent or IDR 69 million.

Meanwhile, the remaining 30 percent is borne by funds on the value of the benefits of Hajj funds of Rp. 29.7 million. The amount of costs charged to the congregation increased from the 2022 hajj costs of around Rp. 39 million or around 40 percent to 70 percent.