Ministry Proposes Ticket Auction System for Hajj Departure
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is examining a new system to tackle the issue of Hajj waiting times, which often require decades. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochammad Irfan Yusuf stated that one emerging idea is to eliminate the waiting list system and switch to a ticket auction or direct registration mechanism.
Irfan said that this system was previously implemented in Indonesia before the formation of the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH).
“Honestly, when we talk about queues, the thought in the Ministry of Hajj arises: is such a long queue necessary? Should we consider returning to the era before BPKH?” Irfan remarked while opening the National Working Meeting on the Organisation of Hajj Worship for 1447 Hijriah in Tangerang, Banten, as uploaded on the Ministry of Hajj’s YouTube account on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
In the past, Irfan explained, the system in place was direct registration or ticket auction. The government would announce the Hajj costs for the current year and the available quota, then open registration for a certain period. Anyone with the financial ability and good physical condition could register directly.
The pilgrims who departed were those who first succeeded in paying the Hajj costs and securing tickets. “The government announces this year’s Hajj costs, registration opens from this date to that date, those who want to go on Hajj, please pay. Like a ‘ticket auction’,” said Irfan.
“Should we consider something like that again? Of course, this is not an easy decision. But as a discourse, it’s certainly fine to think about,” he added.
Historically, the Hajj waiting list system began in Indonesia in 2008. This system was implemented because public interest in Hajj was very high, exceeding the annual quota given by Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, BPKH was first established in 2017. Before that, registration and Hajj fund management were entirely handled by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The Hajj queues in various regions in Indonesia vary, from a dozen to as long as 47 years. However, starting this year, the government is standardising the Hajj waiting period for all regions to 26 years.
The discourse to eliminate the queue system and implement ticket auction emerged after President Prabowo Subianto ordered the Ministry of Hajj to revolutionise Hajj organisation. In a working meeting with the ranks of the Red and White Cabinet at the State Palace on Wednesday, 8 April 2026,
Prabowo expressed his desire to shorten the Hajj waiting time, which has long been a major problem for Muslims in Indonesia. “We are now fighting and alhamdulillah we have reports that the Hajj queue is no longer 48 years. Starting 2026, the longest Hajj queue is 26 years, and I will fight to make it even shorter,” said Prabowo.