House Commission VIII Pushes for More Independent BPKH to Optimise Hajj Fund Investments

The House of Representatives Commission VIII is pushing for the institutional strengthening of the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) to make it more independent in managing Hajj funds. The move is considered important to optimise investments while increasing the value of benefits received by pilgrims. Commission VIII member Maman Imanul Haq said BPKH needs to be given room to work independently without intervention. According to him, as an institution that manages entrusted funds from prospective Hajj pilgrims, BPKH bears a great responsibility in safeguarding and developing these funds through safe and productive investment instruments. “The first keyword is that we actually support BPKH to be more independent, more autonomous. As an institution mandated to manage pilgrims’ money, this independence is what we are actually asking for, so that BPKH cannot be intervened in and cannot also be regulated merely as a cashier for the Ministry of Hajj,” Maman said. He explained that BPKH must be able to account for the entire process of managing Hajj funds, from fund placement and investment development to the distribution of benefit value to pilgrims. Therefore, institutional independence is deemed a prerequisite for enhancing the professionalism of Hajj fund management. Besides strengthening independence, Commission VIII also asked BPKH to continue improving its investment performance. Maman assessed that optimal investment development would increase the value of benefits that can be utilised to support the organisation of the Hajj pilgrimage and improve services to pilgrims. According to him, synergy between BPKH and the Ministry of Hajj also needs to be strengthened so that various investments already owned by BPKH, such as hotels, catering, transport, and other services, can be optimally utilised within the Indonesian Hajj ecosystem. “We ask that communication with the Ministry of Hajj be truly strong, so that what is offered by BPKH, such as hotels, catering, transport, and various other services, can be optimally utilised,” he said. Maman added that BPKH’s performance has shown improvement from year to year. With the formation of a Ministry of Hajj focused on organising the pilgrimage, he is optimistic that the management of Hajj funds and BPKH’s investment development will become increasingly effective. “The President also supports a more independent BPKH that is capable of generating stronger investments to support the Hajj ecosystem. Therefore, we want BPKH to be stronger, more professional, and provide greater benefits for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims,” Maman said.