Hajj Oversight Team to Depart for Saudi Arabia Starting Tomorrow
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Hajj Oversight Team (Timwas) of the Indonesian Parliament for 2026 will begin deploying in stages starting tomorrow, Saturday (16/5/2026).
The Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian Parliament, Abdul Wachid, stated that in the first phase, he and several members of the Oversight Team will head directly to Medina to conduct initial inspections of services for pilgrims.
“Tomorrow, on the 16th (of May), we will depart. Some will depart on the 17th, 18th, 20th, and 21st. I, along with other leaders of Commission VIII of the Indonesian Parliament, will go to Medina to inspect the accommodation,” said Abdul in a statement, as quoted by Kompas.com on Friday (15/5/2026).
Abdul said that the team will conduct comprehensive inspections, starting from accommodation, catering, facilities in Armuzna, to alleged illegal levies against elderly pilgrims.
The Parliament affirmed that this year’s Hajj oversight should not be merely a formality, but must ensure that all pilgrims’ rights are fully met in accordance with the decisions of the Working Group and the working meeting between the Parliament and the government.
Abdul Wachid admitted that he had received reports of rooms that were supposed to accommodate only four people, but were occupied by up to eight or even twelve pilgrims in one room.
“This is inhumane. If the beds can be added, but there is only one bathroom. Pilgrims end up having to compete for it,” he emphasized.
“This is a finding that we must check directly. We must ensure that pilgrims are not disadvantaged,” he said.
The Parliament will also oversee the catering services received by Indonesian pilgrims. Furthermore, the Parliament will also oversee the companies that are deemed to have not completed the preparation of tents in Arafah.
The Oversight Team stated that they had received reports that the progress of tent preparation had only reached around 48 percent. Meanwhile, the government, through the Ministry of Hajj, stated that the percentage had reached 75 percent.
“This is what we need to check directly. We must ensure that when pilgrims move to Arafah, the tents are ready,” Abdul emphasized.
The Hajj Oversight Team of the Indonesian Parliament will also oversee the implementation of the dam (Hajj penalty) to ensure that it is carried out in accordance with Sharia provisions and transparently.
“Oversight of the dam is also a concern for Commission VIII of the Indonesian Parliament, whether it is implemented 100 percent or not,” Abdul Wachid emphasized.
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