Indonesias 2019 Hajj Pilgrimage Cost Set at USD 2,481
Minister of Religious Affairs and leaders of Commission VII DPR stack hands after the signing of 2019 hajj pilgrimage cost, at Indonesian Parliament Building, Jakarta, Monday (4/2). (Photo: PR of Ministry of Religious Affairs)
The Indonesian Government has set the 2019 Hajj Pilgrimage Cost (BPIH) at approximately Rp Rp35,235,602 or USD 2,481 (1 USD = Rp14,200).
Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said that the figure in US Dollar is 151 points lower than that of last year set at USD2,632. However, due to Rupiahs weakening against US Dollar, the hajj cost in Rupiah is similar to last years.
Indonesias BPIH is the lowest among BPIH in ASEAN countries, the Minister said after signing the BPIH agreement at the Indonesian Parliament Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (4/2).
Lukman cited an example of Brunei Darussalams BPIH which is above USD8,000: USD8,738 (2015), USD 8,788 (2016), USD8,422 (2017), and USD8,980 (2018).
Meanwhile for Singapore, the BPIH is around USD5,000, such as USD5,176 (2015) ; USD 5,354 (2016) ; USD 5,436 (2017) ; and USD5,232 (2018). For Malaysia, the BPIH is USD2,750 (2015) ; USD2,568 (2016) ; USD2,254 (2017) ; and USD2,557 (2018).
In the meantime, the BPIH of Indonesia is USD2,717 (2015), USD2,585 (2016). USD2,606 (2017). and USD2,557 (2018).
The Ministrys data also show that Indonesias BPIH seems to be higher than Malaysias but actually from the paid price, the Hajj pilgrims will get cash back as many as USD400 or SR1,500 from the Indonesian Government as a living cost during the pilgrimage, Lukman added.
The BPIH includes USD400 for living cost but it will still be given back to the Hajj pilgrims prior to their departure. So, the actual cost for 2019 BPIH is USD2,081 Lukman said. Moreover, Lukman continued, the quality of hajj service will be better compared to last years despite the similar amount of BPIH.
Hajj pilgrims will enjoy air-conditioned tents in Arafah, more urinals provided in Mina, and more bus service to serve those who stay more than 1 kilometer from the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, Lukman added. (PR of Ministry of Religious Affairs/ES)
Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas
