DPR Warns of Potential Hajj Cost Increase in 2027

The Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Marwan Dasopang, stated during the opening of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) for the Evaluation of the 2026 Hajj Pilgrimage that rising cost components at home and in Saudi Arabia are likely to drive up the overall expenses for the pilgrimage. “Looking at the calculations of the financial requirements that we, as the Hajj organisers, must fulfil, it seems the cost of Hajj will increase,” Marwan said at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Saturday. He emphasised that Commission VIII and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will examine various schemes to suppress the cost increase. Marwan noted that the government needs to formulate which cost components can still be made more efficient. According to him, flight costs have limitations as they are influenced by airline regulations, whilst accommodation services also need evaluation without reducing service quality. Beyond costs, he also highlighted the need for a long-term solution to the limited capacity in Mina, which remains a challenge in the Hajj operation. “A heavy challenge for us is that Mina never expands. We hope for an increased quota, but the area [of Mina] never increases,” he said. Marwan mentioned that the Tanazul scheme for some pilgrims has been one effort to reduce overcrowding in Mina. Going forward, he said, the government needs to formulate an optimally manageable capacity for the Tanazul implementation so that the Mina issue does not recur every year. Previously, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf requested that the 2026 Hajj Evaluation Rakernas serve as an open evaluation forum to identify various shortcomings in the Hajj operation as a basis for service improvement. “This 2026 Hajj Evaluation Rakernas is certainly an opportunity for us to discover various shortcomings that we have and are currently implementing, to become part of future Hajj service improvements,” said Minister Irfan. He stated that all shortcomings need to be disclosed openly with the aim of improving the quality of Hajj services, not to find parties to blame. Thus, future Hajj operations will be better prepared and optimised. Minister Irfan noted that one aspect still requiring serious attention is the health services for pilgrims. Although the mortality rate for pilgrims this year was successfully reduced by approximately 25 per cent compared to the previous operation, the figure is still considered high.