Jakarta -The government is currently discussing the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage in 2025. The government ensures that the cost of the Hajj in 2025 will decrease.
This was discussed in an internal meeting attended by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Muhammad Syafi’i, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and DPR leaders Sufmi Dasco Ahmad at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday (27/12/2024).
“We are discussing many things, about what can make the pilgrims more comfortable, more at ease, and most importantly, cheaper,” said Nasaruddin.
Nasaruddin assured that the lower cost of the pilgrimage would not reduce the quality of accommodation. He said that quality will remain a priority even though the cost of the pilgrimage has decreased.
“For example, we shouldn’t look for cheap planes, but rather old planes.” So that’s a warning for us too,” he said.
Muhammad Syafi’i added that President Prabowo Subianto wants the implementation of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to be of high quality. However, according to Syafi’i, Prabowo sees many costs that can be reduced.
“At the same time, he also saw many costs that could be rationalized, making the quality better but the price cheaper,” said Syafi’i.
Syafi’i did not provide details on the cost of hajj for next year. Later, the government will announce it after a meeting of the working committee (panja) on hajj from Commission VIII of the DPR.
“One thing’s for sure, (the cost of Hajj) is cheaper.” Because, you see, the DPR is currently on recess. But they are selfless for the sake of the nation and the state, on the 30th (of December) there will be a meeting to form the working committee. Only after that, the special committee meeting. It was only there that the cost of the pilgrimage was decided,” said Syafi’i.
“But we can almost be sure, Mr. Minister, that the cost of the pilgrimage this year will decrease.” What is the amount? That can’t be mentioned right now. Because there needs to be an agreement in the Panja,” he continued.
Returning to Nasaruddin, he said that the cost of Hajj could be cheaper due to several factors. One of them is the exchange rate of the dollar.
“So clearly, the spirit is that we want to be more affordable for the community through the efficiencies we implement.” Therefore, by eliminating all the deviations, it will also contribute to lowering the prices,” he said.
