House Commission VIII Warns of Potential Hajj Cost Increase in 2027

Jakarta - The House of Representatives’ Commission VIII has warned of a potential increase in the Hajj Travel Cost for 2027, which must be anticipated through a thorough evaluation of cost components and improved service efficiency to keep the burden on pilgrims manageable. Commission VIII Chairman Marwan Dasopang, during the opening of the National Working Meeting for the Evaluation of the 2026 Hajj Pilgrimage organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, stated that rising costs for several components both domestically and in Saudi Arabia are likely to push up the overall cost. “If we calculate the figures for the needs that must be met for the Hajj pilgrimage, it feels like the cost will increase,” Marwan said at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Saturday. He emphasised that Commission VIII, together with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, will examine various schemes to suppress the increase. According to him, flight costs have limitations as they are influenced by airline regulations, while accommodation services also need to be evaluated without reducing service quality. Beyond costs, he also highlighted the need for a long-term solution to the limited capacity in Mina, which remains a challenge in organising the Hajj pilgrimage. Meanwhile, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf requested that the evaluation meeting serve as an open forum to identify shortcomings in the Hajj operation as a basis for future service improvements.