Hajj Minister: If Hajj Costs Rise, Efforts Will Be Made Not to Burden Pilgrims

The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is striving to ensure that prospective Hajj pilgrims are not unduly burdened by the potential increase in the Hajj Operational Costs (BPIH), following rising costs in several pilgrimage components.

“In essence, we are trying not to burden our pilgrims. There is a high possibility of an increase in the figures, but we are working on how to ensure that if an increase does occur, it does not become a heavy burden for our pilgrims,” stated the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, Jakarta, on Saturday.

Minister Irfan noted that the potential rise in BPIH is triggered by increasing costs across almost all components of the pilgrimage administration, ranging from the US dollar exchange rate and aviation fuel prices to the rise in various service tariffs set by the Saudi Arabian government, including services within the Masyair area.

Moving forward, the government and Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) will discuss the guidelines for determining the BPIH and the Hajj Travel Costs (Bipih).

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR RI, Marwan Dasopang, reminded that the potential increase in the 2027 BPIH needs to be anticipated through a thorough evaluation of cost components and improved service efficiency to maintain the burden borne by pilgrims.

He emphasised that Commission VIII of the DPR RI, together with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, will examine various schemes to suppress cost increases.

Marwan stated 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, while accommodation services also need to be evaluated without compromising the quality of service.