“The government, through the Religious Affairs Ministry, should intensify its diplomacy with Saudi Arabian authorities and help collect data of the victims, so that they can immediately disburse [the compensation] because it has been more than a year [since the incident],” said National Mandate Party (PAN) lawmaker Ali Taher Parasong during a hearing at House Commission VIII, overseeing social and religious affairs, on Monday.

The crane incident at the Masjidil Haram complex on Sept. 11, 2015, killed at least 107 people. Eleven Indonesian haj pilgrims died while 42 others were injured.

Several days after the incident, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Indonesia announced compensation of 1 million riyal (US$267,000) for families of the deceased and permanently disabled victims, and 500,000 riyal for the less severely injured.

“[Saudi Arabian authorities] have taken too long, although we understand they are still deciding how to pay the compensation. They also need concrete data regarding the victims not only from Indonesia but also from other countries whose citizens are among the victims,” Ali said.

Several lawmakers said the House was now questioning whether or not Saudi Arabia would fulfill its promise. “Can we still expect compensation from them?” NasDem Party lawmaker Khoirul Muna said.

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said Saudi Arabian authorities had formed a special team, which had started to collect data on the victims.

“Actually, there is progress [on the compensation]. We hope the compensation is disbursed soon,” Lukman said. (ebf)

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