Commission on Hajj Claims Increase in Costs is Pilgrims Benefits

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Head of the National Commission on Hajj and Umrah Mustolih Siradj, asserted that the increase in the costs of hajj pilgrimage was for the benefit and financial sustainability of the pilgrimage itself. According to Mustolih, the increase in the cost of the pilgrimage is difficult to avoid due to the increase in the price of necessities, both in Indonesia and in Saudi Arabia.

“Let’s say the cost of air transportation increases in its Aviation Turbine Fuel, along with hotels, accommodation, land transportation, catering, medicines, medical equipment and so on. Not to mention the impact of inflation, so the cost of the pilgrimage must adapt to this situation,” Mustolih said in a statement on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Previously, in a joint meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas proposed an increase in the costs of pilgrimage in 2023 assuming the total Hajj Organizing Cost (BPIH) was as many as Rp98,893,909 or an increase of around Rp514,000 from the previous year.

The nominal proposed by Minister Yaqut with the composition of the Hajj Travel Expenses (BIPIH) which is charged to the pilgrims as many as Rp 69,193,733 or 70 percent and the amount of the subsidy from the value of the benefits of managing the Hajj funds is about Rp 29,700,175 or 30 percent. Consequently, the BIPIH that must be paid by the prospective pilgrims compared to last year increased by Rp30 million / per pilgrim.

Mustolih asserted that the cost plan proposed by Yaqut was carried out in the context of rationalization, sustainability, and financial stability. This is because so far, the subsidies to Hajj Organizing Costs, which have been supported by subsidized funds originating from the returns on the management of the Hajj finances, are too extensive and tend to be financially unhealthy.

“Therefore, there must be bold steps to correcting and balancing. The rights and interests of millions of pilgrims that are waiting must also be protected,” said Mustolih.

Mustolih said that the money generated from the management of the hajj funds from pilgrims that are waiting is around Rp 160 trillion, the results from placements and investments belonging to the pilgrims on the waiting list, which number is approximately 5 million people as the owners of funds or shohibul maal. However, so far the funds have been provided to subsidize pilgrims departing in the current year up to 100 percent. “This needs to be corrected and fixed,” Mustolih added.

Meanwhile, at the same time, the initial deposit fee for pilgrims cannot be raised and is still set at Rp25 million per pilgrim at least for the past two decades. This situation, according to Mustolih, put pressure on funds managed by the Hajj Finance Management Agency (BPKH), Especially with the normal quota after the pandemic, namely 221,000 pilgrims.

“Steps to rationalize and correct the hajj funds must be taken immediately for greater benefit and to protect the rights of millions of pilgrims that are waiting, otherwise this problem will become a ticking time bomb,” said Musotolih, who is also a lecturer at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah.

Nevertheless, Mustolih hoped that the increase in the cost of pilgrimage can still be reduced by efficiently cleansing cost components that can be cut without reducing and impacting the quality of Hajj organizing services.

Regarding Hajj funds, Mustolih hoped that not only regular Hajj expenses will be conveyed to the public. According to him, it is also important to publicize the implementation of special Hajj fees managed by travel or Special Hajj Organizers (PIHK) because thousands of people are candidates for special pilgrimages.

RIRI RAHAYU l IMAJI LASAHIDO

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