Maman Urges Restructuring of 'Stone Quota' to Optimise Hajj Allocations

Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Maman Imanulhaq has stressed the need to restructure the ‘stone quota’ to ensure a more optimal allocation of Hajj pilgrimage slots. “At a time when people are competing to secure the opportunity to perform the Hajj, there are still around 1,600 unused stone quotas. There are even prospective pilgrims who have only just discovered they are registered, and families who were unaware that one of their members had a departure portion. This is certainly an important note,” he said during a Specific Working Visit of Commission VIII DPR RI to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) in West Java Province, Bandung, on Wednesday (8/7). Based on an explanation from the West Java Kemenhaj Regional Office, Maman continued, one option that can be considered is placing stone quota holders onto a waiting list first. If they cannot be contacted within a certain period, the quota is proposed to be removed from the active list so it can be allocated to other prospective pilgrims. However, he stated that the removal of the name does not eliminate the prospective pilgrim’s rights. Should the individual return and meet the requirements at a later date, administrative accountability mechanisms and refunds can still be processed. According to Maman, the issue of the stone quota is inseparable from the Hajj bailout fund policy previously implemented by banks. He explained that this scheme caused some people to register to obtain a portion number but not continue with the departure process, resulting in their data never being updated. “As a result, these prospective pilgrims cannot be contacted, their addresses are unclear, and their whereabouts are unknown,” he said. Maman noted that the stone quota issue impacts the distribution of Hajj quotas between regions.