Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Hajj Commission (Komnas Haji) has proposed that the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) and sovereign wealth fund Danantara take on the role of funding the Indonesian Hajj village establishment plan in Saudi Arabia.

“The development of the Hajj village infrastructure could become a priority investment scheme for BPKH in the medium and long term, in addition to the existing investment schemes,” Chairman of Komnas Haji, Mustolih Siradj, remarked here on Monday.

Earlier, during the inauguration of the Special Terminal for Hajj and Umrah at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, President Prabowo Subianto reiterated his commitment to realizing the Indonesian Hajj village in Saudi Arabia.

The idea for the Hajj village arose from the president’s concern over rising Hajj costs, which, although reduced this year, are still considered insufficient.

Siradj said his side welcomes this initiative. He believes the idea could bring significant benefits, not only for Hajj financing but also for the Umrah sector, as well as strengthen the overall Hajj and Umrah ecosystem.

He noted that, until now, stakeholders in the Hajj and Umrah sector have operated independently without a common roadmap or blueprint for the governance and management of Hajj and Umrah services.

“As a result, Hajj and Umrah (services) have become a source for foreign exchange income in Saudi Arabia,” he added.

On one hand, Siradj said the development of the Indonesian Hajj village presents an opportunity, as Saudi Arabia needs substantial investment.

On the other hand, Indonesia, as the largest sender of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, requires such infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Siradj considers BPKH a relevant institution, as the funds collected from newly registered prospective Hajj pilgrims, both from the regular and special Hajj programs, currently total around Rp179 trillion, or around US$10.8 billion, from 5.2 million registrants.

Additionally, the involvement of Danantara, with its capital exceeding Rp1,000 trillion, would be crucial, and investment in infrastructure and ecosystem development for Hajj and Umrah services is promising.

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