Hajj Supervisory Team Raises Concerns Over Pilgrim Catering
A member of the DPR’s Hajj Supervisory Team (Timwas), Singgih Januratmoko, has raised concerns regarding catering for the 2026 Hajj pilgrims. Several pilgrims reportedly did not receive ready-to-eat (RTE) Indonesian meals as scheduled.
They were supposed to receive RTE on 7 Dzulhijjah (Sunday, 24 May 2026) and 8 Dzulhijjah (Monday, 25 May 2026) in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna). “In the end, they had to consume fresh meals (newly cooked food),” he said when contacted yesterday.
Singgih was unsure where the error in RTE procurement occurred but criticised the Ministry of Hajj for lacking professionalism. “This needs to be improved moving forward,” he stated.
He also advised the government to seek suppliers that can better serve future needs.
Beyond catering issues, Singgih highlighted problems with tents, noting pilgrims were initially without accommodation. He also pointed out a shortage of healthcare staff, attributing it to the transfer of health personnel preparation from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Hajj. Some pilgrims suffered from dementia, he added. “This may need evaluation to determine if more healthcare staff are required,” he said.
Moreover, the Saudi government does not permit clinics; sick pilgrims must be taken directly to Saudi hospitals.
The Golkar legislator suggested the Ministry of Hajj improve service quality by upgrading from Package D to C. The cost difference is 560,000 riyals per pilgrim, approximately Rp 2-3 million, which he deemed reasonable for the enhanced service.
Singgih proposed long-term multi-year contracts with hotels serving Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Current short-term contracts, he explained, leave hotels insufficient time for renovations before Hajj season. With around 5,000 rooms needed, “how can repairs be completed in two months?” he questioned.
A three- to five-year contract would allow gradual improvements: “First year may not be perfect, but second and third years can see maintenance and upgrades,” he said.
He also raised concerns about overcrowding during Murur and Tanazul at the peak Hajj in Mina. The Indonesian government should lobby Saudi authorities early to increase capacity for Indonesian pilgrims. “Indonesia must lobby from the start. Capacity should ideally be increased to at least 50,000; 20,000 is still insufficient,” he stated.
Saudi Arabia has expanded capacity, including multi-level tents, but these measures have not fully resolved annual congestion.
Despite this, Singgih noted this year’s Hajj was better than last year’s, praising the professionalism of Hajj officers and smooth transportation.