Eka Yudha Saputra, Ninis Chairunnisa, Jakarta – Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives Marwan Dasopang said the queue list for the departure of Indonesian hajj pilgrims could reach 49 years. Currently, according to him, the average waiting list for Indonesian pilgrims is currently around 25-30 years. However, in some areas, the waiting list can be longer.
"But there is, because this waiting period is not the same in every province. In South Sulawesi, there are districts that have been waiting for more than 49 years. But the average is between 25-30 years. There are 3 districts in South Sulawesi that have reached 48 years. It is quite difficult to unravel this," Marwan said during a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
The National Awakening Party legislator said that one of the solutions is to increase the hajj quota. One of the efforts is to revise the Hajj Law so that Indonesia can send pilgrims through friendly countries that do not spend their Hajj quota.
Commission VIII hopes that the government can lobby the Saudi Arabian government to get an additional quota for this year's hajj. Although the working committee for organizing the 2025 Hajj has set a quota of 221 thousand pilgrims.
"This still needs our addition in order to unravel the length of the waiting list. Because they are also old if they don't leave now, it's a bit complicated," said Marwan.
After meeting President Prabowo Subianto, Marwan and his colleagues from Commission VIII of the House of Representatives will visit Saudi Arabia to lobby the Saudi king to provide an additional quota.
The House of Representatives and the Government have previously agreed to set the cost of organizing the Hajj pilgrimage (BPIH) for departure in 1446 Hijri or 2025 AD at IDR 89,410,258.79. Of this amount, 62 percent of the hajj costs are borne by the congregation and 38 percent are borne by the government.
"The correction is down from Rp 93.4 million last year to Rp 89.4 million now. Yes, about 4 million down," said Marwan.
The cost of the hajj pilgrimage (Bipih) that must be borne by each congregation for this year is IDR 55.4 million. This amount is allocated to pay for flight tickets, accommodation in Makkah, accommodation in Madinah, and living costs. When compared to 2024, the amount of Bipih this year has decreased from the previous IDR 56 million. Bipih repayment is paid by pilgrims after deducting the initial deposit and the amount of the benefit value balance in each pilgrim's virtual account.
"When compared to 2024, the amount of Bipih this year has decreased. "It decreased by Rp 614,420.82 from the Bipih in 1445 Hijri or 2024 AD which amounted to Rp 56,046,171.60," said Chairman of the BPIH Working Committee (Panja) of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, Abdul Wachid, during a Hearing Meeting (RDP) of Commission VIII with the Ministry of Religious Affairs at the parliament building, Central Jakarta, on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, the value of benefits borne by the government for this year's hajj costs amounted to Rp 6,831,820,756,658.34. This amount decreased by Rp 1,368,219,881,908.86 from the total value of benefits for BPIH last year, which amounted to Rp 8,200,040,638,567.00.
Abdul said that the Bipih repayment is paid by the pilgrims after deducting the initial deposit and the amount of the benefit value balance in the virtual account of each congregation. "And can be paid in installments until the deadline for repayment," he said.
– Nabiila Azzahra contributed to the writing of this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1961385/waiting-period-for-indonesian-hajj-pilgrims-can-reach-49-year