HNW: Hajj Cost Increase Not to Be Passed on to Pilgrims to Maintain State's Support

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW) stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s decision regarding the Hajj cost increase due to rising aviation fuel (avtur) prices not being passed on to pilgrims is a step to maintain the state’s support for its citizens. “This is important to maintain the state’s support while providing peace of mind for prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims who will start departing on 22 April,” he said, appreciating the President’s decision in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday. He explained that based on data from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah at the working meeting of the VIII Commission of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Wednesday (8/4), the average Hajj flight cost, previously around Rp33.5 million per pilgrim, has the potential to increase significantly. Without route changes, HNW, who is also a legislator in the fields of religion and social affairs, stated that the cost could reach around Rp46.9 million. Meanwhile, if there is a route adjustment, the cost could rise to around Rp50.8 million per pilgrim. Nevertheless, at that working meeting, the VIII Commission aligned with President Prabowo’s decision and the aspirations of prospective Hajj pilgrims, firmly rejecting the additional costs being imposed on prospective pilgrims. “The VIII Commission emphasised that the cost increase due to avtur must not be passed on to prospective pilgrims. Moreover, the flight contract contains a force majeure clause that should serve as the basis for finding a joint solution without burdening the pilgrims,” he said. In addition, HNW highlighted prospective Hajj pilgrims residing far from embarkation points who could be affected by rising domestic flight ticket prices. He gave an example that the embarkation for pilgrims from Papua and Maluku is in Makassar, South Sulawesi, while the embarkation for pilgrims from Bali and East Nusa Tenggara is in Surabaya, East Java. Therefore, he hopes that the President’s commitment not to burden pilgrims with cost increases also covers domestic travel, namely from their home areas to the embarkation points. He advised that at this time approaching departure, there should be no cost inflation due to wars they never wanted, both in the context of international and domestic flights. According to HNW, it would be very burdensome and distressing for prospective pilgrims if that happens, and it could even derail their departure plans. Yet, prospective pilgrims have waited decades to depart for the holy land. “Given their significant number, it is feared that it will create social unrest that could be avoided by applying the President’s decision also to local air transportation costs for affected prospective pilgrims,” he said. Previously, President Prabowo requested that if the 2026 Hajj implementation costs must increase due to the global surge in avtur prices, they should not be passed on to Indonesian prospective Hajj pilgrims. “The President hopes that whatever happens, if there is a cost increase, he requests that it not be passed on to our Hajj pilgrims,” said Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf during the working meeting with the VIII Commission of the DPR RI in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4). According to Irfan, President Prabowo’s directive was conveyed in a limited meeting with government officials.