Prabowo seeks to verify Hajj finances, instructs forensic audit

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed a forensic audit of the Hajj financial management currently handled by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) to ascertain its factual condition, ensuring that improvements can be implemented accurately and comprehensively.

The instruction was delivered by President Prabowo to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umram, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

“The President encouraged that a forensic audit be immediately conducted on the governance of Hajj finances,” said Deputy Minister Dahnil Anzar during a press conference explaining the contents of the meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday afternoon.

Dahnil explained that his ministry will coordinate with relevant parties, including the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), regarding the forensic audit of the Hajj finances.

“Why must a forensic audit of Hajj financial management be conducted as per the President’s order? Because the President wants to know the actual facts regarding the true condition of the Hajj finances. We must ensure there is no financial engineering or similar practices, such as the case currently trending in Malaysia; the President also wants to know the current state of Hajj finances,” said Dahnil.

According to him, the President’s directive was given to ensure there are no fraudulent practices in Hajj governance. “To ensure it is clean, and to ensure it is free from Hajj and Umrah cartels,” Dahnil added.

In the same meeting, the President also expressed appreciation for the performance of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in improving the governance of Hajj and Umrah implementation and tackling practices that disadvantage pilgrims. Minister of Hajj Mochamad Irfan stated that the President ordered the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to cleanse the Hajj and Umrah implementation ecosystem of cartel practices and fraud.

“Just sweep away all the cartels and mafias related to Hajj and Umrah,” Irfan said, quoting the President’s instruction.

In addition to the governance of Hajj finances, the President also proposed a composition for the Hajj pilgrimage travel cost (Bipih) and the benefit value of 52:48 in the discussions for the 2027 Hajj implementation cost (BPIH) to avoid burdening pilgrims. This proposal was made by the President after hearing reports regarding Hajj implementation costs, which are expected to rise significantly next year.

Irfan explained that changes in the geopolitical situation in the Middle East have impacted economic conditions, necessitating adjustments to several cost components. “Indeed, there are several figures that must change, but in principle, the President stated that it must not burden the pilgrims,” said Minister of Hajj Mochamad Irfan.