AMPHURI urges early settlement of 2027 special Hajj fees

The Indonesian Muslim Association for Hajj and Umrah Service Providers (AMPHURI) has urged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to expedite the settlement of special Hajj fees, as Saudi Arabia has set tight deadlines for the 2027 Hajj season. “Our primary focus is serving pilgrims. The sooner the settlement process is completed, the greater the chance for Special Hajj Service Providers (PIHK) to secure the best services and provide certainty to pilgrims from the outset,” said DPP AMPHURI Chairman Firman M. Nur in a statement on Monday in Jakarta. Firman stated that delays in settlement could affect the availability of optimal services for Indonesian pilgrims, including accommodation, transportation, and services in Masyair. Therefore, the government must expedite the settlement of the 2027 Special Hajj Travel Costs (Bipih) to allow PIHK sufficient time to meet all stages set by Saudi Arabia. According to Firman, the new Nusuk Masar platform system requires all Hajj processes to adhere to significantly stricter schedules than before. Consequently, PIHK requires early certainty to finalise service contracts, select hotels, prepare pilgrim manifests, and secure operational needs in Saudi Arabia. AMPHURI also proposed that special Hajj settlement mechanisms should no longer depend on the regular Hajj payment schedule. A more flexible scheme would enable PIHK to move faster in meeting the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s timeline. “Special Hajj settlements should be made earlier and not wait for the regular Hajj process. This is crucial for PIHK to have sufficient time to secure service contracts and maintain service quality for pilgrims,” Firman said. In addition to expediting settlements, AMPHURI has called on the government to safeguard Indonesian special Hajj pilgrims’ interests in dealings with service providers (syarikah) in Saudi Arabia. A key concern is ensuring the location of Masyair services, including Mina tents for Indonesian special Hajj pilgrims. The success of the 2027 special Hajj depends on all parties’ readiness to adhere to Saudi Arabia’s schedule. Therefore, coordination between the government, associations, and PIHK must begin early.