Government and DPR 'Half-Hearted' in Cutting Hajj Costs, KBIH Officials Extort Pilgrims

The Hajj Supervisory Team (Timwas) of the Indonesian DPR has expressed deep disappointment after receiving reports of rogue members of the Hajj Guidance Group (KBIH) charging pilgrims with illicit fees. Meanwhile, the government and the DPR have worked hard to significantly reduce the Biaya Perjalanan Ibadah Haji (Bipih). Deputy Chair of Commission VIII of the DPR, Abidin Fikri, said he was disappointed by the findings during a visit to the Al Hidayah area in Mecca on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He received reports that some KBIH officials were levying funds from pilgrims for wheelchair facilities to the Masjid al-Haram. ‘This is most regrettable; we have reports that some KBIHs are levying charges related to providing wheelchairs to Masjid al-Haram. This is not appropriate, because the Government through the Hajj Ministry has endeavoured to provide the best services for pilgrims,’ Abidin said in a press briefing on Wednesday. The practice of extortion is described as highly ironic. Abidin explained that over the past two years, the DPR and the Government under President Prabowo have worked hard to reduce the burden of Hajj costs. In the 2024-2025 period, Hajj costs were reduced by IDR 4 million, and in the 2026 Hajj season a further IDR 2 million was cut. ‘Total reductions amount to IDR 6 million. But it is regrettable that while the Government and the DPR are working to lower Hajj costs, in the field there are still KBIH officials who levy illicit charges,’ he said. In addition to the wheelchairs issue, Abidin also highlighted the manoeuvres of several KBIHs that do not comply with rules by using pilgrim transport to run illegal city tours outside official schedules. This carries a high risk of accidents and fatigue for pilgrims ahead of the peak hajj. In response to these violations, the Hajj Timwas of the DPR called on the Hajj Ministry to promptly regulate rogue groups. ‘KBIHs must follow the Ministry’s scheme. Going forward, we will take firm action against KBIHs that levy illicit charges during the hajj,’ Abidin said.