Prabowo Requests Permission from Saudi Arabia for a Special Terminal for Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims at the Airport
JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has requested permission from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a special terminal at its airports for Indonesian hajj pilgrims, enabling faster and more efficient entry and exit for these guests of God.
“I have requested permission from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Indonesia to have a special hajj terminal. So, that terminal will be exclusively for our hajj pilgrims to allow quicker entry and exit,” said President Prabowo during a government working meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The President also stated that starting this year, the waiting period for hajj in Indonesia will be a maximum of 26 years, reduced from the previous duration of 48 years.
“I will strive to make it even shorter,” said the President.
The Head of State also inquired about the Indonesian Hajj Village in Mecca from Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, as well as from executives of Danantara, represented by COO Dony Oskaria and CTO Sigit P. Santosa.
“We will build an Indonesian hajj village, with several dozen towers that can accommodate (Indonesian hajj pilgrims),” said the President.
On the same occasion, regarding hajj cost efficiency, the President also summoned the President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Glenny Kairupan, and requested a report on the follow-up to instructions regarding the establishment of a joint venture between Garuda Indonesia and Saudia Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier.
The President explained that this joint venture could help Indonesia reduce hajj costs, while also providing benefits for the national airlines of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
“So far, Garuda planes have been flying hajj pilgrims to the Holy Land and returning empty. This is not economical or sensible. Saudi Arabia does the same. They return our hajj pilgrims to Indonesia and come back empty. I said, why not collaborate? Create a subsidiary, 50 percent Saudi Arabia, 50 percent Indonesia,” said President Prabowo.
The same applies to Saudi planes; after transporting Indonesian hajj pilgrims back to the homeland, those planes can then carry passengers to Saudi Arabia.
The President also reminded Glenny that the instruction had been given about two months ago.
Therefore, the President asked Glenny to report on the follow-up to that instruction.
“Has it been worked on? I instructed it about two months ago. Yes, this must be done quickly; the President Director of Garuda will meet me,” said the President to Glenny.