Purbaya Cancels His Hajj Departure This Year: Perhaps Not the Time Yet

JAKARTA — The Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has disclosed that he and his family have cancelled their plan to undertake the Hajj this year. Purbaya was scheduled to depart for the Holy Land on Thursday (21 May 2026). ‘Not going (to perform Hajj). Not the right time perhaps,’ Purbaya told reporters at the Istana complex in Jakarta on Thursday (21 May 2026). He declined to disclose the reasons for cancelling the pilgrimage. ‘No. Not the right time perhaps,’ he repeated. Purbaya admitted he was saddened, but said this year was not the time to perform the Hajj. ‘It is sad, though perhaps not too sad. Because it’s probably not the right time,’ he said. He hopes to go next year with his whole family. ‘All of us. Pray that next year it won't be cancelled again,’ he added. Earlier, Purbaya had been due to depart for the Holy Land this Thursday, provided there were no obstacles. ‘Thursday (the 21st) if there are no obstacles,’ he said at the Istana Complex, Jakarta, last Monday (18 May 2026).