Jakarta \u2014 A member of the House of Representatives Commission VIII\nfrom the Golkar Party faction, Hasan Basri Agus, has endorsed the\ngovernment\u2019s move to recommend a temporary postponement of Indonesian\npilgrims\u2019 departure for umrah to Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
\u201cUmrah is a sacred calling, but the protection and safety of pilgrims\nis a state responsibility that cannot be compromised. The principle of\nprioritising safety must be placed foremost in every policy,\u201d Hasan\nstated in a statement on Monday (2 March 2026).<\/p>\n
Hasan emphasised that the safety of Indonesian citizens must remain\nthe highest priority amid global geopolitical dynamics and the ongoing\nescalation of conflict in the Middle Eastern region.<\/p>\n
Hasan noted that based on data from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,\nIndonesia is one of the world\u2019s largest senders of umrah pilgrims. In\nthe years prior to the pandemic, the number of Indonesian umrah pilgrims\nreached more than one million per year. With such a large number of\npilgrims, potential safety risks, logistical challenges and\npsychological impacts on pilgrims are important considerations in\npolicy-making.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Hasan reminded that this postponement recommendation is\nnot a form of permanent prohibition, but rather a temporary preventive\nmeasure whilst continuing to monitor security developments in real\ntime.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must not panic, but neither should we be negligent. This policy\nis a form of government caution in reading global dynamics. This is an\nanticipatory step, not a reactive one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He stated that the government, together with the Pilgrim Travel\nOperators Association (PPIU), must ensure that affected pilgrims can\nreschedule without additional costs or penalties.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, said Hasan, the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah\nAdministration must issue an official circular that comprehensively\nexplains the basis of the policy, so as not to fuel speculation among\nthe public.<\/p>\n
Not only that, the PPIU and umrah travel agents must also guarantee\nthe security of pilgrim funds, including the refund of funds if pilgrims\nchoose to cancel their departure.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Hasan urged the public to remain calm, not be easily\nprovoked by unverified information, and to trust this policy to the\ngovernment, which acts based on security and international diplomatic\nconsiderations.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that Indonesia maintains good diplomatic relations with\nSaudi Arabia.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dpr-member-agrees-umrah-pilgrimage-should-be-postponed-pilgrim-safety-is-non-negotiable-1772464079", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }