Indonesian House of Representatives Reviews 2027 Hajj Preparations in North Sumatra
Medan - Members of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) have reviewed the preparations for the 1448 Hijri or 2027 CE Hajj season in North Sumatra Province, which has been allocated a quota of 5,913 pilgrims.
“Alhamdulillah, we have received direct reports regarding the preparations and have listened to all of them,” said the Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI, Ansory Siregar, at the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for North Sumatra Province on Friday.
He continued that the reports were provided by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for North Sumatra, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Office in Medan, and the Class I Medan Hajj Dormitory Technical Implementation Unit (UPT).
Ansory cited the incident of a young doctor’s death during the previous Hajj season in Makkah, allegedly due to physical exhaustion and insufficient rest for medical personnel in the field.
“Please ensure that the doctors’ work is supervised; they must not be deprived of sleep. If the schedule is too tight, there is a fear they may pass away due to lack of rest. This is our note: whether the quota for doctors needs to be increased or if reserves should be provided to prevent a recurrence,” he emphasised.
In addition to the protection of medical personnel in the field, the health history screening for Hajj pilgrims, including those from North Sumatra, has come under sharp scrutiny from Commission VIII DPR RI.
He reminded the Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) not to allow pilgrims to pass the selection process if their medical data indicates histories of prohibited illnesses that would prevent them from travelling.
Data from the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hasting and Umrah for North Sumatra Province for the 1447 Hijri or 2026 CE Hajj season shows that 12 prospective pilgrims from North Sumatra failed to depart for the Holy Land due to illness.
“There was an incident where a pilgrim was forced through the selection process and subsequently jumped from a hotel shortly after arriving in Makkah, because their mental condition was not monitored during the last season,” said Ansory.
Furthermore, he requested the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for North Sumatra Province to provide guidance and training for KBIHU (Hajj Group Guidance) officers.
“I repeat, KBIHU must be supervised; they should not be left to operate freely. There must be guidance, socialisation of obligations, and oversight even once they have arrived in Saudi Arabia,” said Ansory.
The Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for North Sumatra Province, Zulkifli Sitorus, stated that his office would take into account the various inputs from the members of Commission VIII DPR RI to ensure a better Hajj season implementation.
“Therefore, healthy lifestyle patterns and how to maintain health will be an important part of the Hajj pilgrimage guidance (manasik) that we will conduct. As for KBIHU, we will carry out supervision,” he said.