Director general of Hajj and Umrah organization at the ministry, Hilman Latief, said the efficiencies were applied to various components, including accommodation, consumption, and service fees, at the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage and for Arafah-Muzdalifah-Mina.
"Efficiency was also applied in the operational components of domestic and international public services. The total efficiency reached Rp600 billion," he informed in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The government and the Indonesian parliament have agreed on the Hajj Organization Cost (BPIH) 1446 H/2025 M, which will come to Rp89,410,258.79 (around US$5,588.14 ) on average, assuming an exchange rate of Rp16 thousand to the US dollar and Rp4,266.67 to the Saudi riyal.
This year, the average BPIH shrunk by Rp4,000,027.21 from Rp93,410,286.00 (around US$5,838.14) in 2024.
The reduction has resulted in a fall in the Hajj Travel Cost (Bipih) that must be paid by pilgrims.
Related news: Indonesian Govt, DPR finalize 2025 Hajj cost at Rp89.4 mln per pilgrim
The average Bipih paid by prospective pilgrims in 2024 was Rp56,046,171.60 (around US$3,502.8). Meanwhile, the average Bipih for 2025 will be Rp55,431,750.78 (around US$3,464.48)
The use of the Benefit Value allocated from the optimization of the pilgrims' initial deposit has also decreased.
The average benefit value per person in 2024 was Rp37,364,114.40 (around US$2,335.25). This year, the average benefit value per person has fallen to Rp33,978,508.01 (around US$2,123.65).
In addition, the purchase of a number of equipment needed by the pilgrims, which was the focus in 2024, also helped cut down Hajj costs this year. So, there is no need to purchase them again this year.
"We are optimizing the existing equipment, such as travel document reading machines, bio-visa data recording devices, and others. Alhamdulillah, this can reduce the Hajj costs," Latief said.
Indonesia has received a Hajj quota of 221 thousand pilgrims for this year. The quota allows for 201,063 regular pilgrims, 1,572 regional Hajj officers, 685 guides for the Hajj and Umrah Guidance Group (KBIHU), and 17,680 special Hajj pilgrims.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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