Andre Rosiade Bids Farewell to the Final Hajj Batch from West Sumatra, Distributes 100 Riyal Pocket Money
Accompanied by the Head of the West Sumatra Hajj and Umrah Ministry Office (Kemenag), M Rifki, Andre took the time to engage in direct dialogue with the pilgrims before their departure to the Holy Land. A total of 287 pilgrims and staff were dispatched in this final batch.
On this occasion, Andre also provided additional pocket money of 100 riyal to each pilgrim as a form of support and attention to the prospective guests of Allah from West Sumatra.
“We are giving a gift to the pilgrims, pocket money of 100 riyal per pilgrim. This is part of our support as members of the DPR to the West Sumatra pilgrims to add to their spending money. The government assistance is already 750 riyal, and from us, it’s added another 100 riyal,” said Andre in his statement on Saturday (9/5/2026).
This Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives also expressed appreciation to all levels of the Hajj and Umrah Ministry, embarkation staff, and airport authorities, whom he deemed to have worked maximally in providing services to the Hajj pilgrims from the West Sumatra Embarkation.
“I see and feel the glow of satisfaction from our Hajj pilgrims. From the services at the dormitory, the journey using buses, to the services at the airport, everything runs very well and quickly. This shows that the government continues to improve in providing the best services to the pilgrims,” he said.
Andre also touched on the central government’s commitment under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto to enhance the quality of Indonesian Hajj services, including plans to build a Hajj Village with modern facilities.
“Our hope is, of course, that the dormitory facilities continue to be upgraded. Hopefully, the Hajj Village planned by the government can soon be realised with very good facilities for Indonesian pilgrims,” said this Chairman General of the Minang Family Association (IKM).
Meanwhile, Rifki stated that Batch 14 consists of pilgrims from 13 regencies/cities in West Sumatra, plus seven pilgrims from Bengkulu who were previously delayed in their departure due to health reasons.
“Thank you, Mr Andre Rosiade, for kindly seeing off our pilgrims. Today is the final batch from the Padang Embarkation. The number of pilgrims dispatched is 287 people, including staff. Overall, the Padang Embarkation this year dispatched 5,402 people,” said Rifki.
Rifki explained that there were only two pilgrims who could not be dispatched due to illness and are still undergoing treatment in hospital. According to him, those pilgrims still have the right to depart in the following Hajj season.
“If they haven’t departed yet, their rights remain for next year. If they are unable, the quota can be transferred to family members,” he clarified.
Rifki also revealed that to date, there are two pilgrims from the Padang Embarkation who have passed away in the Holy Land. The government, he said, has coordinated with Saudi Arabian authorities to ensure all pilgrim rights are fulfilled.
“Insyaallah, the rights of the pilgrims will still be fulfilled, including replacement Hajj and insurance for the family,” he said.
In addition, he mentioned that around 26 percent of the Hajj pilgrims from the Padang Embarkation this year are elderly pilgrims and those at high risk.
“About 1,060 of our pilgrims fall into the category of elderly and high risk out of a total of 5,402 pilgrims,” Rifki concluded.