Menhaj: Government prepares legal basis for proposed additional Hajj costs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has already prepared the budget to cover the additional Rp1.77 trillion in Hajj pilgrimage expenses, although the process is still ongoing to ensure the legal basis for the proposed budget usage.

In a press conference at the Presidential Staff Office in Jakarta on Wednesday, Menhaj Moch. Irfan Yusuf stated that there is an additional cost for this year’s Hajj operations amounting to Rp1.77 trillion, caused by the increase in flight costs from Garuda Indonesia and Saudia Airlines.

“We are ensuring that we will cover that additional budget request. Then, the source, we are still discussing with our friends in the DPR, especially regarding the legal basis,” said Irfan.

He assured that the government will not burden Indonesian Hajj pilgrims with this addition.

“It’s just a matter of finding the legal basis to disburse that budget,” said the Menhaj.

Thus, the total Hajj flight costs have increased from Rp6.69 trillion to Rp8.46 trillion, or an increase of Rp1.77 trillion.

“We hope that at this working meeting opportunity with Commission VIII of the DPR, it can be approved and decided regarding the amount and funding source to meet the adjustment of these costs. The figures are there, the total difference needed is Rp1.77 trillion,” said Irfan.

The Menhaj conveyed that his side has prepared several financing alternatives. Based on Article 44 and Article 45 of Law Number 14 of 2025 on the Third Amendment to Law Number 8 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah Worship, the flight cost component for Hajj is sourced from the Hajj Operational Costs (BPIH).

Meanwhile, the flight costs for the official group (kloter) staff come from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).