West Kalimantan allocates Rp1.09 billion for local Hajj costs

Pontianak (ANTARA) - The West Kalimantan Provincial Government is providing Hajj local financing stimulus amounting to Rp1.09 billion to alleviate the burden on pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season. “The support is focused on local services, ranging from land transport, accommodation, to meals during the embarkation and return processes,” said West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan in Pontianak on Friday. The total assistance disbursed reaches Rp1,090,850,000, allocated to support the needs of pilgrims, particularly in the pre-departure and post-return stages. The number of Hajj pilgrims from West Kalimantan this year is recorded at 1,858 people, a decrease compared to 2025 which reached 2,519 people. The decline in the number of pilgrims has resulted in an increase in per-person cost burdens, thus the local government is taking intervention steps through local cost assistance. The details of the support provided include land transport from the Hajj dormitory to the airport in Pontianak or Batam amounting to Rp784,000,000, Hajj dormitory accommodation costs of Rp137,510,000, and pilgrim meals at the Pontianak and Batam Hajj Dormitories of Rp169,340,000. “Nevertheless, there are still cost components borne by the pilgrims, namely air transport on the Pontianak-Batam round-trip route,” she stated. The West Kalimantan Provincial Government emphasises that it will continue to optimise support for cost components that can be accommodated through the Regional Budget, especially for land services, meals, and Hajj dormitory facilities. This step is in line with the mandate of Law No. 8 of 2019 on the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah Worship, which has been updated through Law No. 14 of 2025, providing space for local governments to finance pilgrim transport and local services according to the region’s fiscal capacity. “This policy also reaffirms the West Kalimantan Provincial Government’s commitment to ensuring that the implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage runs more comfortably, safely, and well-facilitated for all pilgrims from West Kalimantan,” said Ria Norsan.