“In principle, we are well-prepared. The timeline for Hajj service implementation is progressing, and we’ve been making preparations in parallel with the institutional changes being carried out through a legal revision,” said BP Haji expert staff member Ichsan Marsha.
Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, Marsha noted that the government’s plan to elevate BP Haji to ministerial status is still awaiting the issuance of a presidential regulation by President Prabowo Subianto.
He emphasized that BP Haji has been coordinating with relevant stakeholders and managing technical preparations for next year’s Hajj pilgrimage alongside the institutional transition.
According to Marsha, the agency has anticipated structural changes to ensure that its transformation into the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah does not disrupt preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage.
Earlier, BP Haji Deputy Head Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak stressed that the government would prioritize integrity and competence in shaping the new ministry’s structure and governance.
“The President emphasized the importance of integrity and competence. Not all employees will be transferred immediately—there will be a selection process that considers track records and integrity,” Simanjuntak stated on Saturday (August 23).
He added that local bureaucratic units currently under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and responsible for Hajj and Umrah services would be transferred to the new ministry.
Integrated Hajj and Umrah service centers in districts and cities would serve as its regional offices.
These remarks were made in the context of the government’s plan to delegate Hajj and Umrah responsibilities from the Ministry of Religious Affairs to BP Haji.
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives (DPR) passed a bill amending Law No. 8 of 2019 on Hajj and Umrah, paving the way for the establishment of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The transformation will be formalized through a presidential regulation confirming BP Haji’s new status.
Related news: Prabowo to issue regulation establishing Hajj, Umrah Ministry
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Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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