"The government must prepare various options, from diplomatic coordination, airline readiness, to emergency financing schemes, to ensure the certainty and safety of pilgrims," she noted on Tuesday.
Gantina considered the emergency scenario essential to prevent pilgrims from being stranded in Saudi Arabia for a prolonged period amid the Middle East conflict.
Indonesia annually sends around 210,000 Hajj pilgrims, with various service contracts, most of which are valid only until the end of the Hajj season.
If an extraordinary situation occurs that causes pilgrims to be stranded beyond the normal schedule, major questions will arise regarding the financing of additional accommodation, meals, and transportation, she continued.
In such circumstances, the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) cannot bear the full burden alone. Therefore, it is essential to preserve the sustainability of Hajj funds.
"We must not use all our financial resources to save the short-term situation, only to find that the following year there are insufficient funds to send pilgrims," Gantina emphasized.
She then drew attention to the potential obstacles in alternative return arrangement scenarios if major flight routes are disrupted. Currently, Indonesian Hajj flights are primarily served by two major airlines: Garuda Indonesia and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
If flight routes are changed, using longer paths through Africa as an example, she believes operational costs will rise sharply. Moreover, foreign airlines may refuse to reschedule these longer routes without charging extra.
In this regard, her office will continue its oversight function to guarantee the state’s full role in safeguarding Indonesian pilgrims.
"The Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages are not merely spiritual journeys, but also involve the governance of cross-border public services. Therefore, the state’s readiness to handle various crisis scenarios is part of our constitutional responsibility to pilgrims," she remarked.
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Translator: Tri Meilani, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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