Government Strengthens Hajj and Umrah Oversight to Safeguard Pilgrims

President Prabowo Subianto Monday (09/28) called for comprehensive reforms to Hajj and Umrah governance, from financial management to eliminating practices that harm prospective pilgrims, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf and Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said after meeting with the President at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

According to the Minister, the President placed strong emphasis on eliminating fraudulent practices in the Hajj and Umrah system that have long harmed prospective pilgrims.

The President also expressed appreciation for measures taken by the Ministry, including the launch of a hotline to combat Hajj and Umrah mafias.

“He greatly appreciated our efforts to rid the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem of cartels, violations, and fraudulent practices, all of which ultimately cause losses to prospective pilgrims,” the Minister said.

The Minister also emphasized that the President’s support would strengthen Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s efforts to continue its reforms.

“We hope this appreciation will motivate us even more to clean up everything related to Hajj and Umrah so that pilgrims are not harmed. As he put it, we should sweep away all the cartels and mafias associated with Hajj and Umrah,” he continued.

In addition to improving the service ecosystem, the President also paid special attention to Hajj financial governance. The Vice Minister also said the President had called for a forensic audit of Hajj financial management to obtain a factual picture of its current condition.

“The President called for an immediate forensic audit of Hajj financial management,” he said.

According to the Vice Minister, the audit is an important step toward restructuring Hajj financial management for the future benefit of pilgrims. It would give the Government a clear picture of the current situation, enabling targeted and comprehensive manner.

“Because the President wants to know the actual facts about the condition of Hajj finances,” he said.

The Vice Minister added that follow-up on the directives would be coordinated with relevant institutions, including the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).

The Government aims to establish cleaner, more accountable Hajj and Umrah governance while protecting the interests of pilgrims from registration through departure. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/MEP)