“The President will issue a presidential regulation to implement the law, which establishes the Hajj Ministry,” PCO Chief Hasan Nasbi stated at a press conference on Tuesday.
Nasbi explained that the ministry is backed by a statutory law, as its functions are not explicitly outlined in the Indonesian Constitution.
President Prabowo will appoint the first Minister of Hajj and Umrah, though the selected individual will not necessarily be the current head of the Hajj Organisation Agency (BP Haji), Nasbi added.
He also noted that the President will allocate the budget for the newly formed ministry.
On Tuesday (August 26), Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) approved amendments to Law No. 8 of 2019 on Hajj and Umrah, paving the way for the ministry’s establishment.
According to DPR Commission VIII Chair Marwan Dasopang, the new ministry will serve as the central coordinator for Hajj operations for Indonesian pilgrims, utilizing existing resources and infrastructure.
The ministry is expected to improve service delivery and technological integration in Hajj and Umrah management, while also adapting to evolving pilgrimage policies from Saudi Arabia, which operates its own Hajj and Umrah Ministry.
Oversight of the new ministry will fall under Commission VIII of the DPR, which handles religious and social affairs.
Meanwhile, DPR Deputy Speaker Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal confirmed that the first Hajj and Umrah Minister will be appointed this week.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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