Prabowo requests permission from Saudi Arabia for dedicated terminal for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has requested permission from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish a dedicated terminal at the country’s airport for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, enabling a faster and more efficient flow of entry and exit for these guests of Allah. “I have requested permission from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Indonesia to have a dedicated 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 Hajj waiting queue in Indonesia will be at most 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 Danantara executives, 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 Garuda Indonesia’s President Director Glenny Kairupan and requested a report on the follow-up to the instruction 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 providing benefits to the national airlines of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Two months “So far, Garuda aircraft have been transporting (Hajj pilgrims) to the holy land and returning empty. This is not economical, it doesn’t make sense. Saudi Arabia does the same. They return our (Hajj pilgrims) to Indonesia, and the return is empty. I said, why not collaborate? Create a subsidiary, 50 percent Saudi Arabia, 50 percent Indonesia,” said President Prabowo. The same applies to Saudi aircraft; after transporting Indonesian Hajj pilgrims back to their homeland, those aircraft can then carry passengers back to Saudi Arabia. The President also reminded Glenny that the instruction had been given 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.