Minister of Hajj Stresses Oversight Roles to Ensure Quality Hajj Services

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The integrity of officers is essential to the success of the 1447 Hijri/2026 Hajj pilgrimage, Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf emphasized at the opening of the Consolidation Meeting of Supervisory Officers, Assistants, and Supporters at the Class I Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The minister highlighted a change in terminology from “supervisory officers” to “supervisory officers and monitoring and evaluation team.” He stressed that this was not merely a name change but a strategic step to strengthen oversight functions. “This year’s implementation must be better than last year,” Irfan said, as quoted by the ministry's official website.

According to him, the move reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to improve service quality through the newly established Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. “The ministry has successfully eliminated 70–80 percent of non-procedural practices in the assignment of Hajj officials, and the remaining areas will be tightened through this team’s oversight,” he added.

Amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, Irfan assured that as long as the Saudi Arabian government does not suspend Hajj operations, Indonesian pilgrims will depart without incurring additional costs. “Given the significant budget involved, the government is engaged in in-depth discussions on how to meet financing needs,” he explained.

He confirmed that preparations are on track, with the first group of pilgrims entering the dormitory on April 21 and departing for Saudi Arabia on April 22, 2026. The final group will leave on May 21, 2026.

“Every need of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia has been fully prepared, including lodging in Mecca. A total of 177 hotels have been arranged across Jarwal, Misfalah, Raudhah, Syisyah, and Aziziyah. In Medina, 100 hotels have been secured within the Markaziyah area, eliminating the need for transit to the Prophet’s Mosque,” Irfan said.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Dendi Suryadi, reported that the consolidation meeting was attended by 116 participants from one coordinating ministry, seven ministries, nine central government institutions, and one regional administration.

The oversight mission is also supported by 70 pilgrim protection officers from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (Polri).

Dendi noted that the Directorate General has set five success indicators as the shared responsibility of all officials:

• Full fulfillment of the Hajj quota.
• A decline in pilgrim fatalities.
• No pilgrims unaccounted for.
• Fewer hardships were experienced during the pilgrimage.
• Zero corruption in the Hajj administration.

“These indicators will guide officials in supporting the success of the Hajj mission,” Dendi said, underscoring the importance of compliance, accountability, and risk management. ***