Cost of IDR 49 million and a waiting list of 75 years, the interest of Lombok residents to go for Hajj is still high

Residents when registering for Hajj at the office of the Ministry of Religion of Central Lombok Regency, NTB. (ANTARA)

PRAYA - The Ministry of Religion of Central Lombok Regency stated that residents' interest in carrying out the pilgrimage remains high despite the increase in the 2023 Hajj Implementation Fee (BPIH) set by the government of IDR 49 million and a waiting list of 75 years.

Acting Head of Hajj and Umrah Department of the Central Lombok Ministry of Religion, M Muhson said, the cost for the 2023 pilgrimage has been set at IDR 49,812,700 or around 55.3 per cent of the costs of organizing the pilgrimage (BPIH). Until now, no pilgrims (JCH) in Lampung Province have cancelled their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

"No one has withdrawn the haj deposit money yet. Except for JCH who died, because there are no heirs to continue", Muhson said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 20.

The increase in BPIH has not had any impact, because until now there are still residents who carry out Hajj registration. Apart from that, after COVID-19 the community's economy began to grow, so residents' interest in carrying out the fifth pillar of Islam is still there.

"Residents' interest remains high because the enthusiasm of residents to carry out the pilgrimage is also quite high in Central Lombok", he said.

He said, JCH who had paid off before the increase in BPIH by the agreement between the government and the DPR, would still use the 2020 BPIH. However, for JCH who had not paid off and who were currently registering, they would only pay the payment according to the 2023 BPIH increase.

"Those who have paid before, don't need to make additional costs according to the current BPIH", he said.

He said the initial deposit for Hajj registration was still at IDR 25 million to get a serial number, despite the proposal to increase the 2023 Hajj Implementation Fee (BPIH).

"The initial registration fee for Hajj is still IDR 25 million", he said.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Central Lombok Regency Hajj Candidate Pilgrims (JCH) quota is still awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia. The Saudi Arabian government has set the 2023 haj quota for the Indonesian government to 221,000 pilgrims.

This quota consists of 203,320 regular pilgrims, and 17,680 special pilgrims and 4,200 Hajj officers.

"The process of preparing for the pilgrimage has begun by accepting Hajj companions", he said.

Based on data on the serial number of the hajj that has been issued, the number of residents of Central Lombok who will carry out the pilgrimage has reached 26,017 people.

"The waiting list for the pilgrimage in Central Lombok reaches 75 years if the haj quota for the NTB region remains at 2000. But if normal it can reach 35 years", he said.