DPR Commission VIII Condemns Hajj Tent Allocation, Calls on State to Take Firm Action

Jakarta, VIVA – The Deputy Chairman of Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission VIII, Abidin Fikri, has strongly condemned the practice of tent allocation conducted by several Hajj/Umrah Guidance Groups (KBIH/KBIHU) during the 2026 Indonesian Hajj pilgrimage. The action not only violates service ethics in hajj administration but also endangers the rights and safety of pilgrims and damages the credibility of the national hajj administration, the responsibility of which lies with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Indonesia.

The DPR RI Hajj Supervisory Team urged the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to take concrete steps, including revoking the operating licenses of KBIH/KBIHU proven to have engaged in tent allocation practices and even extortion based on administrative checks and substantial field evidence.

“We will not tolerate commercialisation and practices that degrade the quality of the Indonesian people’s hajj. Hajj is a sacred trust; organisers must ensure safety, equality, and the dignity of pilgrims,” Abidin Fikri said in a written statement on Friday, 22 May 2026.

The DPR RI Hajj Supervisory Team and Commission VIII will continue to closely monitor the technical arrangements for tent placement and facilities in Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina (ARMUZNA), which must protect pilgrims’ access without discrimination; ensure an integrated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, PPIH, syarikah (joint stock company) and Saudi authorities.

“If any party uses their position to seek personal or group gain, the state must act firmly,” Abidin asserted.

Earlier reports noted that Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak had removed various identities of Hajj/Umrah Guidance Groups (KBIHU) and unauthorized banners installed at the pilgrims’ tents in Arafah. He described the actions as illegal.

This followed a direct inspection of Indonesian pilgrims’ tents in Arafah conducted by Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil with Hajj Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf on Thursday, 21 May 2026. Dahnil warned that licences of KBIHU engaging in illegal tent allocation would be revoked.

“We removed KBIHU identities and unauthorized banners on site. This serves as a reminder that no group should control the tents,” Dahnil was quoted by the Hajj Ministry’s website on Friday, 22 May 2026.