APBN Hindered by Regulations for Subsidising Hajj Costs, Prabowo Urged to Issue Perppu

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A fierce debate has unfolded between the government and the DPR RI regarding plans to use the state budget (APBN) to offset the increase in Hajj flight costs stemming from the surge in aviation fuel (avtur) prices.

In a working meeting of Commission VIII of the DPR RI on Tuesday (14/4/2026), a proposal emerged for President Prabowo Subianto to issue a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) as a way out of the legal impasse.

Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah RI Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak explained that the government is in principle ready to use the APBN so that the avtur price increase is not borne by the pilgrims.

“The President does not want the avtur increase to be shouldered by the pilgrims. The solution: is the APBN strong enough? It turns out it is. But the issue is, is this legally safe?” said Dahnil during the meeting at the DPR RI Building.

According to him, the government’s review shows that under prevailing regulations, Hajj cost components, including increases, should be covered through the Hajj Worship Organisational Costs (BPIH) sourced from the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH).

“If it doesn’t comply with the law, we wouldn’t dare use the APBN either. We need a strong legal safeguard,” he stated.

He emphasised that the President’s decision not to burden pilgrims with the cost increase should be implementable directly based on emergency conditions.

“This is floating if it’s like this. It’s called force majeure, anything can happen,” said Marwan.

“The President has spoken, it won’t be borne by the pilgrims. That’s it, force majeure,” he added.

However, Dahnil reiterated the importance of legal certainty.

He stressed that to date, there is no strong basis for declaring force majeure conditions, including from the Saudi side.

“We haven’t found a force majeure declaration. We’re concerned this could set a wrong legal precedent moving forward,” he said.