Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Proposes 2027 Hajj Fee Increase to Rp107 Million per Person, Citing Rupiah Exchange Rate

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has proposed that the cost of the Hajj pilgrimage (BPIH) for the year 1448 Hijriah/2027 Masehi be set at Rp107.34 million per person, marking a substantial increase from the previous fee of Rp87.4 million. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that the proposed BPIH represents an increase of approximately Rp19.93 million compared to the prior year. The adjustment is influenced by several factors, including the assumed rupiah exchange rate, rising flight costs, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, land transportation, and Masyair services. Additional factors include healthcare services, the strengthening of the health istithaah programme, the provision of ready-to-eat meals, adjustments to consumption costs in Makkah and Madinah, accommodation distribution in Madinah, and financing needs for prospective pilgrims whose departures are cancelled. The calculation is based on an assumed exchange rate of Rp17,500 per US dollar and Rp4,666.67 per Saudi Riyal. To maintain affordability for pilgrims, the ministry has proposed a financing scheme where 60 percent of the cost is covered by the value of benefits managed by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH), while the remaining 40 percent is paid directly by the pilgrims as the Hajj Travel Cost (Bipih). The ministry hopes this scheme will keep the direct cost to pilgrims relatively stable despite the overall increase driven by inflation, rising aviation fuel prices, currency fluctuations, and service quality improvements. The proposal aims to prevent an excessive financial burden on prospective pilgrims, anticipate service cost surges in Saudi Arabia, and ensure fairness and affordability while optimising the use of BPKH-managed funds in accordance with regulations. A similar financing composition was previously applied in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic, when the benefit value covered 59.21 percent and the direct pilgrim cost was 40.79 percent. The proposal will be further discussed by Commission VIII of the House of Representatives after the establishment of the 2026 Hajj Working Committee.