Indonesian Parliament Emphasises That Additional Hajj Flight Costs Must Be Borne by the State

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Marwan Dasopang, has emphasised that the difference in the proposed additional Hajj flight costs must be borne by the state finances and should not be burdened on prospective Hajj pilgrims. Marwan urged the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to conduct cross-ministerial and institutional coordination in accordance with statutory provisions so that the use of state budget runs accountably. “The government needs to carry out cross-ministerial and institutional coordination so that this financing scheme can be implemented accountably and in accordance with regulations,” he said during a Working Meeting with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday. In that working meeting, one of the main points discussed was the proposal for an increase in flight costs due to the surge in avtur prices and exchange rate fluctuations. Marwan requested that the additional cost proposal be recalculated by the Ministry of Hajj considering that global oil price fluctuations are still very dynamic. Therefore, in the next meeting, a detailed decision must be made on the actual amount of the flight cost increase. Meanwhile, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf explained that his side is coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office of Indonesia to ensure the legality aspect of the cost increase. According to him, based on Law Number 14 of 2025, the flight cost component for pilgrims comes from the Hajj Worship Organising Costs (BPIH), while the costs for kloter officials come from the State Budget (APBN). Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak stated that financially, the government is ready to cover the cost difference needed for the additional Hajj flights. However, he requires a legal cushion so that it does not become a problem in the future. Referring to regulations, the Hajj cost component comes from the Hajj Worship Organising Costs (BPIH) sourced from funds managed by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH). “If it does not comply with the law, we also do not dare to use the APBN. We need a strong legal cushion,” he said. However, the funds managed by BPKH are pilgrims’ funds who are still waiting in line. Therefore, said Dahnil, his side requires a strong legal umbrella.