DPR Praises Hajj Services Upgrades as Waiting List Cut to 26 Years
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal holds a press conference in Hambalang, Bogor regency, West Java province, on Wednesday (06/17).
The leadership of the House of Representatives (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia and officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported their 2026 Hajj oversight results to President Prabowo Subianto in Hambalang, Bogor regency, West Java province, on Wednesday (06/17).
The meeting highlighted several achievements in Hajj service upgrades, including lower pilgrimage costs, shorter waiting lists, and improved quality of accommodation and catering services for Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
The DPR Deputy Speaker Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal stated that the House’s oversight aims to ensure tangible improvements are realized during President Prabowo’s administration.
“Our oversight efforts are focused on delivering real change, ensuring that these meaningful improvements are realized under the leadership of President Prabowo,” the Deputy Speaker said to the press.
According to him, the House actively oversaw the determination of the Hajj Pilgrimage Costs (BPIH), allowing a significant cut in the hajj expenses over the past two years. In addition, the President also paid close attention to shortening the hajj waiting period, which previously reached nearly 35 to 40 years.
“The President wanted to tackle the waiting period, which used to be nearly 35 to 40 years. Through his cabinet members, the Minister and Vice Minister of Hajj have all worked together to reduce it to 26 years. In fact, he mentioned earlier that, if possible, he’d like it to be even faster. The President asked what schemes we could implement to shorten the wait times even further,” he said.
During the meeting, the House also reported on its oversight of departure mechanisms, highlighting a more effective immigration system that successfully prevents illegal pilgrims. Furthermore, upgrades to the quality of accommodation services were given a high priority.
“Nearly 17,000 regular pilgrims are now staying in Zone 1, right around the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, where they are accommodated in five-star hotels,” the Deputy Speaker said, adding that they heard directly from grateful pilgrims who expressed surprise at being provided five-star hotels so close to the holy site.
Catering services also saw major upgrades. According to him, the Ministry has successfully negotiated with hajj service providers for more diverse meal options tailored to Indonesian tastes.
He added that President Prabowo ordered all parties to maintain these successful breakthroughs while continuously evaluating areas for further improvement. He also noted that the President praised the close cooperation and open communication between the House and the Ministry.
Meanwhile, Commission VIII member of the House Abidin Fikri commended the Ministry’s performance this year and urged officials to anticipate future challenges due to Middle Eastern geopolitical dynamics. He expressed hope that the region would stabilize to ensure the continued success of future pilgrimages.
He also expressed appreciation for President Prabowo’s commitment to upgrading hajj services for Indonesian pilgrims. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/MMB)
