Hajj costs down Rp6 million in two years, says DPR after system improvements

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf. (IST)

BOGOR - The cost of the Hajj paid by Indonesian pilgrims is said to have dropped by around Rp6 million in the last two years. The DPR considers this decline to be the result of improvements in the management of the Hajj.

The Deputy Speaker of the DPR and Chairman of the DPR Hajj Supervisory Team, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, conveyed this after reporting the results of the supervision of the 2026 Hajj implementation to President Prabowo Subianto in Hambalang, Bogor, Wednesday (17/6).

According to Cucun, the savings are felt by more than 200 thousand pilgrims who depart every year.

"The cost of going on the Hajj can be reduced within two years by Rp6 million," he said.

However, the government has not confirmed whether the cost of Hajj next year will decrease again.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said that the discussion of the 2027 Hajj cost would still be carried out together with the DPR because there were many factors that affected it.

He said the exchange rate, the increase in avtur prices, the global situation, and the increase in a number of services from the Saudi government were challenges that must be taken into account.

"Later it will be discussed with the DPR. The challenge this year is extraordinary," said Gus Irfan.

Apart from the cost, the government claims that the quality of services continues to improve. A number of service contracts are being drafted in a multi-year or long-term scheme to maintain the quality of services while strengthening Indonesia's bargaining position in price negotiations with service providers in Saudi Arabia.

This step is expected to maintain a balance between affordable costs and continuously improving service quality.