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Indonesian Hajj oversight team flags bus delays, tent overcrowding
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesian Hajj oversight team flags bus delays, tent overcrowding

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) oversight team member, Abdul Wachid, noted improvements in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage compared to previous years.
  • However, he highlighted issues with bus delays from Arafah to Muzdalifah and Mina, and overcrowding in tents, suggesting these need serious evaluation.
  • The team proposed increasing service standards from package D to C for better tent capacity, air conditioning, and sleeping comfort, and advocated for long-term contracts with service providers.

Abdul Wachid, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives' (DPR) Hajj Oversight Team, has acknowledged improvements in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage but pointed to critical areas needing attention, particularly during the Armuzna phase.

Indeed, there were some minor notes, especially during the movement from Arafah to Muzdalifah and Mina.

— Abdul WachidAcknowledging issues during the Armuzna phase of the Hajj pilgrimage.

While Wachid stated that the Hajj organization has progressed positively compared to last year, he raised concerns about significant delays in bus transportation from Arafah to Muzdalifah and Mina. Some pilgrims were reportedly stranded until morning due to these transport issues. "There were those who could not depart until morning, but thankfully by seven in the morning, they could be assisted," Wachid said, emphasizing the need for serious evaluation of these logistical challenges.

Beyond transportation, Wachid also focused on the conditions within the tents in Arafah and Mina. He observed that the tent capacity needs enhancement to provide pilgrims with more adequate resting spaces. "We want the quality of the tents to improve. Don't let the pilgrims be arranged like canned sardines," he remarked, highlighting the issue of overcrowding.

There were those who could not depart until morning, but thankfully by seven in the morning, they could be assisted.

— Abdul WachidDescribing the impact of bus delays on pilgrims.

To address these concerns, the Hajj Oversight Team has proposed upgrading service standards from package D to package C for the upcoming Hajj season. This upgrade aims to improve tent quality, air conditioning, and sleeping comfort. Additionally, Wachid stressed the importance of establishing long-term, five-year contracts with hotels, service providers (syarikah), and caterers. He believes this approach will ensure more stable service quality and facilitate easier government evaluation, with underperforming providers being disqualified.

We want the quality of the tents to improve. Don't let the pilgrims be arranged like canned sardines.

— Abdul WachidExpressing the need for better tent conditions and capacity for pilgrims.

Wachid also mentioned that the team will conduct an evaluation meeting after the Hajj concludes to prepare for the 2027 Hajj season, indicating a commitment to continuous improvement in the pilgrimage services for Indonesian citizens.

For the coming Hajj, so that the quality is maintained well, the service is good, we must have long-term contracts of five years.

— Abdul WachidProposing long-term contracts with service providers to ensure quality.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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