"We will not expand (the fast track Hajj service) because we know we do not yet have the capability to prepare what we need to prepare," the minister noted in a statement.
Umar made the statement after meeting with the Director General of Immigration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saleh Saad Almirba, at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia here on Tuesday.
He expressed hope that all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims would benefit from the fast track Hajj service, which is part of the Makkah Route Initiative, an immigration service process from Saudi Arabia carried out at Indonesian airports to streamline and expedite the immigration process.
However, he noted that this goal should be pursued in accordance with Indonesia's capability to implement the service.
Minister Umar also acknowledged ongoing challenges in implementing the service, including the identification of Hajj pilgrims and cases of document falsification.
Hence, instead of expanding the service in Medan and Makassar as earlier planned, Umar said his ministry would improve the existing fast track service at the three embarkation points.
He also highlighted plans to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the processing of Hajj pilgrims and with the Ministry of Home Affairs in the use of advanced biometric facial recognition technology to expedite the service process.
"We will also upgrade, Saudi Arabia will upgrade, so it will be easier," he remarked.
"Hence, with the fast track, there will no longer be any technical issues because this advanced technology will help make things easier," he remarked.
Minister Umar also expressed his deep appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia, including the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, for the conveniences provided to Indonesian Hajj pilgrims so their pilgrimage could proceed smoothly.
"We thank King Salman of Saudi Arabia for the many conveniences given to Indonesia," he remarked.
"This fast track service is also part of these conveniences," he added.
Meanwhile, on the same occasion, Director General of Immigration of Saudi Arabia, Saleh Saad Almirba, emphasized the importance of the fast track Hajj service as the Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam.
Hence, the Saudi government pays special attention by making proper arrangements to facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage.
He also elaborated that through this service, Hajj pilgrims will be facilitated in the immigration process to carry out their worship.
"This fast track makes it easier for Hajj pilgrims who will arrive in the holy land, and they will certainly have an extraordinarily easy process before they arrive in Saudi Arabia," he remarked.
"After arriving in Saudi Arabia, their belongings will also arrive first, and this will certainly make it easier for the pilgrims to carry out their worship properly," he added.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, ASEAN, and Timor-Leste, Faisal Abdullah H. Amodi, stated that the provision of the service was an honor for the Saudi Government and encouraged further cooperation.
"We hope the cooperation that has been established will continue to be improved between the two parties, especially on how to eliminate the obstacles faced in the implementation of this fast track," the ambassador stated.
"(It is) because extraordinary cooperation and coordination will provide an important contribution to the success of this activity," the ambassador affirmed.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: Primayanti
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