What Ahok and Djarot say on King Salman Visit

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok stated his comment ahead of King Salman bin Abdul Azis al-Saud visit. He hopes there would be additional hajj quota for Muslims in Indonesia.

"I hope, at least, the hajj quotas are added," said Ahok in the Town Hall on Monday.

However, Ahok had not confirmed to meet the king of Saudi Arabia. He let the district head bureau in the Jakarta government to decide the agenda. 

Meanwhile, Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat hope the visit would increase the bilateral relation of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. "Secondly, the investation. And the third, hajj quota," he said. 

As Ahok, Djarot also not yet confirm to meet the king. He said he would assist the President by invitation.

The Indonesian government would have a visit from the King of Saudi Arabia. He planned to be in Jakarta for three days and spend the remaining in Bali. He also plans to bring 1.500 entourages, including 10 ministers and 25 princes.

It would be the king's first visit to Indonesia after 47 years.  It showed a need from Saudi Arabia to increase cooperation with Indonesia.  

It was also a reciprocal visit by King Salman. Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a visit to Jeddah on September. He talked about many things during the visit, including the hajj quota. Not long after the visit, Jokowi announced additional hajj quota for Indonesia.