House Member Rebukes West Java KBIHU Official for Calling Elderly Hajj Pilgrims a 'Bother'

A member of the House of Representatives (DPR) sharply interrupted a hearing with a hajj and umrah guidance group official who described elderly pilgrims as troublesome and a burden to others. The exchange occurred during a hearing (RDP) between Commission VIII of the DPR and the West Java Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of the Hajj and Umrah Guidance Group Communication Forum (FK KBIHU) at the parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (6/7/2026).

Syatori, Chairman of the West Java DPW FK KBIHU, had proposed an age limit for elderly individuals wishing to perform the hajj pilgrimage. He stated that managing elderly pilgrims was troublesome and inconvenienced other people. ‘So, Mr Chairman, when we talk about the elderly, we actually have a saying. Ideally, there should be an age limit and the istitha’ah (physical and financial capability) requirement must be strictly enforced. Because elderly pilgrims make the hajj process troublesome and bother other people, sir,’ Syatori said during the hearing.

He explained that most pilgrims wished to perform their worship with full concentration and were unwilling to assist elderly pilgrims continuously, leaving the responsibility to the KBIHU. Syatori also stressed the importance of istitha’ah as a mandatory condition for hajj, urging the Ministry of Health to strictly validate the health status of prospective pilgrims. He noted that in the first flight group alone, more than 60 people required assistance with wheelchairs.

Commission VIII member Matindas J Rumambi immediately interrupted, expressing anger and demanding Syatori retract the statement that elderly pilgrims were a bother. ‘Chair, point of order. I want to remind the KBIHU to retract the term that the elderly are troublesome. This is live, you know. Do not use language saying elderly hajj pilgrims are a bother. Please retract that sentence. Thank you,’ he said.

Syatori responded that his remark was merely a figure of speech and clarified that he hoped for special services to assist elderly and disabled pilgrims. He pointed to Article 6, point E, which mandates special services for the elderly and disabled, and expressed gratitude for any dedicated officers assigned to help with their movement during the pilgrimage, urging the government to regulate this matter properly.