Hajj Oversight Team Proposes Official Agency to Tackle Illegal Substitute Hajj Practices
Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Hajj Oversight Team (Timwas) and Coordinator for People’s Welfare (Korkesra), has urged the Saudi government to establish a formal agency specifically to manage substitute hajj services. He stressed that such an institution is crucial to ensure the process is orderly, transparent, and accountable.
The proposal comes amid the proliferation of unauthorised substitute hajj services offered by travel agencies and Indonesian residents in Saudi Arabia (mukimin) without official coordination from relevant authorities.
‘We hope the ministry establishes a formal agency for substitute hajj to clearly identify who performs the proxy, who receives it, and ensure full oversight. This will reassure the public that the hajj ritual is conducted correctly,’ Cucun said on Monday (1 June).
The PKB party politician noted that structured management of substitute hajj would become more urgent if the government imposes stricter health eligibility criteria for pilgrims, potentially increasing the number requiring proxy services.
He warned that without clear regulations, issues surrounding substitute hajj would persist.
‘If substitute hajj is not institutionalised, problems will continue to arise,’ he stressed.
In addition to substitute hajj, Cucun highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tightening dam payment policies. Starting in 2025, the Saudi government mandates that dam and sacrificial payments be made through the state-owned company Adahi.
He noted the new policy could make Adahi payments a visa requirement for Indonesian hajj pilgrims.
He acknowledged ongoing disagreements in Indonesia over dam payment mechanisms, including proposals to carry out animal sacrifices domestically.
To align Saudi administrative requirements with Islamic jurisprudence, the House of Representatives plans to convene a forum with stakeholders.
‘Insha’Allah, we will soon invite relevant ministries, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and Islamic jurisprudence experts,’ he said. ‘We must not compromise the religious validity of the rituals while improving operational rules. This is for the public good.’
The government, through hajj officials, will ensure all pilgrims’ rights are met, including substitute hajj for the deceased.
Preliminary data as of Saturday (23 May) showed 78 pilgrims requiring substitute hajj.
Asraf bin Sudami (65), a Hajj candidate from Probolinggo, died in Mecca on 14 May after intensive care in a Saudi hospital for respiratory failure.
The House of Representatives’ Hajj Oversight Team and Commission VIII will continue monitoring technical arrangements for tent placement and facilities in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina.
Marwan explained that past Hajj seasons saw major issues arise during the peak Arafat-Muzdalifah-Mina rituals.
Bambang Haryo Soekartono assessed this year’s Hajj services have improved compared to previous years.
Dr. Edy Wuryanto confirmed health eligibility for Hajj pilgrims falls under the Ministry of Health’s authority, stressing coordination with the Ministry of Religious Affairs is crucial for screening high-risk candidates.
Saudi Arabia has raised concerns over Indonesian Hajj mortality rates. The Hajj Oversight Team has called for stricter health screenings, particularly for elderly pilgrims with pre-existing conditions.