83 Percent of Hajj Pilgrims 2026 Enter High Risk Category, DPR Asks PPIH to Prepare Special Supervision Scheme

Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, An'im Falachuddin, asked the Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) to prepare a special supervision and service scheme for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in 2026, following medical data which showed that the majority of this year's Hajj pilgrims fall into the high-risk (risti) category in terms of health.

"With the condition of 83 percent of pilgrims including the high-risk category, special supervision cannot be negotiated. This is important so that pilgrims can carry out the hajj safely, comfortably, and devoutly," An'im told reporters, Wednesday, January 28.

Based on data from the Ministry of Religion, as many as 170,000 pilgrims or about 83 percent of the total 203,320 Indonesian regular Hajj pilgrims fall into the risti category. An'im considers this figure as a serious challenge for Hajj organizers in maintaining the safety and comfort of pilgrims during their stay in the Holy Land.

An'im emphasized that the physical challenges in the Holy Land are very heavy, especially in the face of extreme weather with temperatures predicted to reach above 40 degrees Celsius. According to him, the energy-draining worship activities and mass density have the potential to worsen the health conditions of elderly pilgrims and sufferers of congenital diseases.

"From year to year, the majority of our pilgrims are dominated by the elderly because the waiting period for departure reaches decades," he said.

Therefore, the PKB Legislator emphasized that Hajj officers should act proactively in carrying out routine health monitoring and providing assistance during the mobilization of pilgrims. An'im also asked for the arrangement of the worship schedule to be more humane to accommodate the physical limitations of the risti pilgrims.

"Without adequate assistance, high-risk pilgrims are feared to experience health emergencies. This is where the strategic role of Hajj officers is really tested to provide a quick response," he said.

Furthermore, An'im encouraged stronger coordination between public service officers and health workers as well as the use of accurate risti congregation data. He hopes that this year's Hajj will prioritize a humanistic approach that is oriented towards life safety.

"The success of the hajj is not only about the smoothness of the ritual, but also ensuring that all pilgrims, especially those at high risk, can return home safely and healthy," he concluded.