Government Prepares Hajj Scenarios and Updates on Free Health Checks Beneficiaries
Jakarta — A range of political news has been reported by Antara News Agency. Below is a summary of five popular political stories from yesterday that merit re-reading as information for your morning briefing.
Government prepares hajj scenarios, delays departures and alters routes
The government is preparing several scenarios to anticipate the impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East on this year’s hajj pilgrimage arrangements, with a primary focus on ensuring the safety of Indonesian hajj pilgrims.
Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, following attendance at the Nuzulul Quran Commemoration at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, explained that President Prabowo Subianto’s directive was to prepare various contingencies should the security situation in the region change.
“The President’s message is clear — his focus is ensuring the safety of hajj pilgrims, that is what matters most,” he said.
Government advises postponement of umrah due to Middle East situation
The government has urged citizens to temporarily postpone umrah pilgrimage departures following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
The advisory was conveyed by Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, following attendance at the 1448 Hijri/2026 CE State-Level Nuzulul Quran Commemoration at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March).
“Indeed, for now, regarding umrah departures, we are still issuing an advisory to postpone departures due to the conflict escalation. We do not know how the situation will develop,” he said.
Nuzulul Quran: Prabowo states corruption must be eliminated as religious teaching
President Prabowo Subianto, in his address during the 1447 Hijri/2026 CE State-Level Nuzulul Quran Commemoration at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March) evening, stated that all corruption practices must be eliminated, as this constitutes a religious principle.
For the President, corruption and abuse of power represent serious threats to national progress. Therefore, Prabowo reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicate practices that harm the people and to ensure state resources are utilised fully for the public interest.
“We must indeed eliminate corruption, embezzlement, all incorrect and improper practices prohibited by all religions. This is a religious teaching and also a historical lesson. No nation has succeeded when its government cannot cleanse itself of corruption. This is both a religious and historical teaching,” President Prabowo stated in his address.
Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security assures protection of Indonesian citizens in Middle East
Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Djamari Chaniago has assured that the government continues to endeavour to protect Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Middle Eastern areas currently affected by conflict.
“The government is providing genuine efforts to provide maximum protection to Indonesian citizens, whilst ensuring citizen safety remains a top priority amidst international conflict dynamics,” Djamari stated in an official press release received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Presidential Staff Office reports 13 million Indonesians have received Free Health Check benefits
Presidential Staff Office Chief Muhammad Qodari reported that as of Sunday (8 March), 13.83 million people had registered for Free Health Checks (CKG) and 13.05 million had already received the service.
“As of March 2026, the number registered to receive the CKG service is 13,826,978 people and the number that have already undergone CKG or received benefits is 13,051,027 people,” Qodari said during a press conference on Update on Implementation of the Fast Best Results Program (PHTC) and Preparation for Eid Holiday Returns at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.
During January-February 2026, the CKG programme served 10,563,593 people across 9,543 health centres distributed in 514 municipalities and districts. Of this figure, the largest group of 714,808 participants or approximately 8.6 per cent have received treatment or medical services and 7.5 million others are undergoing follow-up treatment.