He issued this instruction during the inauguration of the Special Hajj and Umrah Terminal at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday.
"I am not yet satisfied with the current costs; we must strive for the best figure. If possible, make our Hajj expenses fall below those of Malaysia," he remarked.
Prabowo emphasized that his administration is working to improve budget efficiency to offer more affordable Hajj costs for Indonesian citizens.
In this regard, the president highlighted the government's success in reducing the Hajj Organization Cost (BPIH) for this year’s pilgrimage by 4 million rupiahs (approximately 241 US dollars), describing this as only the beginning.
He then urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs and related agencies to improve accommodation and transportation services to achieve further cost reductions.
In his remarks, the president also stressed the importance of maintaining coordination with the Saudi Arabian government to develop a village for Indonesian pilgrims near the Great Mosque of Mecca.
He expressed confidence that this project would not only enhance pilgrim comfort but also help lower pilgrimage costs.
The Indonesian government and parliament have agreed to reduce the BPIH from 93.4 million rupiahs (approximately 5,600 US dollars) last year to 89.4 million (approximately 5,300 US dollars) this year.
Consequently, the Hajj travel cost paid by individual pilgrims has slightly decreased to 55.43 million rupiahs (3,300 US dollars) from last year’s 56.04 million rupiahs (approximately 3,400 US dollars).
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, low-income citizens (B40 group) are required to pay only around 15,000 Malaysian ringgit, or approximately 54.5 million rupiahs, for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, due to a 55 percent government subsidy.
This year, Indonesia's Hajj quota was 221,000 individuals, encompassing regular pilgrims, officers, guides, and special pilgrims.
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Translator: Andi F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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