Saudi Arabia Blocks Rp66.17 Billion Hajj Down Payment for 2027, Indonesia Seeks Clarification
Jakarta - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia has requested clarification from the Saudi Arabian government regarding the blocking of down payment funds for the 1448 H/2027 M hajj pilgrimage, amounting to 14 million riyal or Rp66.17 billion (at an exchange rate of Rp4,726 per riyal). The funds are part of the down payment that the Indonesian government had prepared for the 2027 hajj operations. The blocking was carried out by the Saudi Arabian government and is linked to an evaluation of insurance provisions in the 2026 hajj operations.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf revealed the blockage during a working meeting with Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta. “The efficiency that we originally calculated at Rp200 billion still has to be reduced further because there are funds amounting to 14 million riyal blocked by the Saudi Arabian Government in the Nusuk Masar e-wallet,” Irfan said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the Indonesian government respects the regulations in force in Saudi Arabia. However, Kemenhaj is requesting complete information regarding the basis for the blockage in order to conduct verification. “We want the complete data first. Why? Because this has not been verified. They have sent a letter stating that there were insurance violations of such and such, and that they would block our funds of around 14 million riyal,” Dahnil said.
According to Dahnil, the Indonesian government needs to know in detail the alleged violations in question, including the contractual basis and the insurance provisions deemed not to have been fulfilled. “We are requesting the details. Which insurance provisions do you claim we violated and what are they like? We must conduct verification. Then what is the contractual insurance arrangement like,” he said.
Kemenhaj has formally conveyed its objection through a diplomatic note sent via the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Riyadh. The step was taken as part of the intergovernmental communication process to obtain clarification and seek a resolution to the blocking of the funds. “The process is currently in the diplomatic stage. We have sent a diplomatic note of objection through KBRI Riyadh,” Dahnil said.
During the meeting, Commission VIII of the DPR RI also highlighted the certainty of the management of the 2027 hajj down payment funds and asked the government to strengthen coordination with the Saudi Arabian government.
In addition to the insurance issue, Kemenhaj is also evaluating the implementation of istithaah, or the health capability of pilgrims to perform the hajj. Dahnil acknowledged that there are still pilgrims with certain health conditions who passed the examination process. This condition is a note that needs to be improved in the next hajj operations. “That is why the Minister has repeatedly said that istithaah this year will be very strict. In the regions, there are still those who passed. That is indeed a correction,” Dahnil explained.
Kemenhaj has ensured that the evaluation of the 2026 hajj operations will continue, including regarding istithaah health standards and pilgrim insurance protection. The government will also continue to coordinate with Saudi Arabia to ensure that all issues related to hajj operations can be resolved before preparations for the 2027 hajj season proceed further. “The most important thing is that we ensure everything is based on data, based on contracts, and based on the verification process,” Dahnil stressed.