Gov’t Issues Regulation on Coordination for Organizing Hajj

.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has issued Government Regulation Number 8 of 2022 on Coordination for Organizing Hajj.

The Regulation, which can be accessed on the Cabinet Secretariat website, was signed by the President on February 9, 2022.

The Regulation is part of the implementation of provisions of Law Number 8 of 2019 on Organizing of Hajj and Umrah Article 109.

“The coordination for organizing hajj aims to improve the quality of guidance, service, and protection of hajj pilgrims; and achieve effectiveness and efficiency of organizing hajj,” Article 2 of the Regulation reads.

The Regulation stipulates that the organizing of hajj is a national duty and is the responsibility of the Government. The implementation is carried out by the Minister who administers the Government affairs in religious affairs.

In carrying out the task of organizing hajj pilgrimage, the Minister who administers the Government affairs in religious affairs must join hands with Ministers/Heads of Government Institutions at the Central Level, Governors at the Provincial level, Regents/Mayors at the Regency/City level; and Head of Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The implementation of coordination comprises three sectors. First, planning and provision of transportation services, accommodation services, meal services, health services, travel document services, and administrative services; second, guidance; and third, protection.

The planning provision of hajj transportation services comprises the determination of embarkation points, embarkation hubs, debarkation points, and debarkation hubs; provision of transportation; and capacity for transportation needs.

“The planning and implementation of transportation services must take into account aspects of security, safety, convenience, and efficiency in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations,” the Regulation reads.

The provision of transportation comprises the provision of air transportation to and from Saudi Arabia, the provision of land transportation in Saudi Arabia, and the provision of transportation from the area of ​​origin to embarkation points and/or from debarkation points to area of ​​origin which is the responsibility of the regional governments.

The Regulation also states that the planning and provision of accommodation services comprises provision of accommodation services in Indonesia and provision of accommodation services in Saudi Arabia.

“The accommodation services must comply with eligibility standards by taking into account aspects of health, security, convenience, and efficiency for the pilgrims and their luggage, and easy access to Masjid al Haram in Mecca and to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina,” Article 8 paragraph (4) of the Regulation reads.

The Regulation stipulates that the planning and provision of meal services in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia must comply with health standards and nutritional needs, and be served on time with the right amount and with Indonesian taste.

The planning and implementation of hajj health services, according to the Regulation, comprises information on health factors during hajj pilgrimage, physical and mental fitness of hajj pilgrims; recruitment of hajj health workers; provision of hajj health facilities and infrastructure; and medical treatment for pilgrims.

The Regulation also stipulates that the planning and provision of travel document services comprises the issuance of passports, immigration services, and resolution of immigration-related problems. In the meantime, the planning and implementation of administrative services comprises data synchronization and validation, registration of pilgrims, hajj quota transfer, and cancellation of pilgrim registration.

Regarding guidance, Article 23 of the Regulation states that the coordination of guidance programs is carried out in the form of health guidance for hajj pilgrims before, during, and after hajj pilgrimage.

“The health guidance shall comprise: guidance during the waiting period and the departure period; guidance in Saudi Arabia; and guidance during the return period,” the Regulation states.

The Regulation states that the coordination for protective measures must be carried out before, during, and after the hajj pilgrimage.

“Protection for pilgrims and hajj officers shall comprise the following aspects: protection of Indonesian citizens abroad; law; security; and lives, accidents, and health,” the Regulation reads.

Article 26 of the Regulation states that the protection of hajj pilgrims and hajj officers before, during, and after performing hajj must be carried out by prioritizing the involvement of the authorities; not taking over the criminal or civil responsibility of Indonesian citizens; and in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.

The Regulation comes into force from the date of its promulgation on February 9, 2022 by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly. (UN) (RI/MUR)