Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has requested approval from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to build a dedicated terminal for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to ensure faster and more efficient travel.
“I am requesting permission from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Indonesia to have a special Hajj terminal,” he spoke at the Government Working Meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8.
The president explained that this terminal will be specifically for Indonesian pilgrims to allow for faster entry and exit during the pilgrimage season.
He also announced that starting this year, the maximum waiting period for Hajj pilgrims in Indonesia will be cut to 26 years from the previous 48 years.
“I will strive to make it even shorter,” Prabowo noted regarding the effort to reduce the waiting list for citizens.
The head of state also inquired with Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar regarding the Indonesian Hajj Village in Mecca alongside Danantara officials, represented by COO Dony Oskaria and CTO Sigit P Santosa.
The officials confirmed that the Indonesian government through Danantara has secured a total of 45 hectares of land for the project.
“We will build an Indonesian Hajj village, with a dozen towers, that can accommodate (Indonesian Hajj pilgrims),” Prabowo continued.
Regarding Hajj cost efficiency, the president summoned Garuda Indonesia President Director Glenny Kairupan to discuss a joint venture with Saudia Airlines.
According to him, the joint venture could help Indonesia reduce Hajj costs while simultaneously benefiting both national airlines.
“Garuda has been flying Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and returning empty, which is inefficient, and Saudi flights bringing our pilgrims home also return empty, so we should cooperate by creating a subsidiary with 50 percent Indonesian and 50 percent Saudi ownership,” Prabowo remarked.
If this plan works, Garuda planes transporting Hajj pilgrims to the Holy Land will be able to return with passengers instead of flying empty.
The same applies to Saudi airlines which will be able to return to Saudi Arabia with passengers once they have completed transporting Indonesian pilgrims home.
The president also reminded Kairupan of the directive issued two months earlier and asked him to provide an update on its follow-up.
“Has it been implemented? I gave the order approximately two months ago. This must be done quickly. The Garuda President Director will meet me later,” Prabowo spoke to the official.
Credits: Indonesia
