RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian House of Representatives Commission VIII lawmaker Mahdalena emphasized that the approval of a down payment (DP) of IDR 4 trillion for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage must be used as an opportunity to improve the overall quality of services.

She stressed that every rupiah spent should deliver tangible benefits for the comfort, security, and safety of Indonesian pilgrims, not merely expedite the service contract process.

“The agreement on the down payment for the 2027 Hajj must lead to service improvements. I hope the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah ensures that every rupiah is allocated to provide the best service for Indonesian pilgrims,” Mahdalena said in a press statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

She explained that the initial down payment should secure better services, particularly during the critical phases in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna). These stages, she noted, are the most crucial as millions of pilgrims gather simultaneously, making the quality of tents, accommodations, transportation, and meals decisive for comfort and safety.

“No pilgrims should struggle to find a tent in Arafat or Mina. Early down payment should strengthen Indonesia’s bargaining position,” she said.

Mahdalena urged the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to ensure that hotels are located close to service points and that meals meet nutritional and hygiene standards tailored to Indonesian pilgrims.

“Most Indonesian pilgrims are elderly, so it is vital to guarantee quality hotels, accessible transportation, and healthy food. Good service not only ensures comfort but also reduces risks of fatigue, dehydration, and health problems during the pilgrimage,” she explained.

She also encouraged the ministry to leverage Indonesia’s position as the country with the largest number of Hajj pilgrims in the world to strengthen its bargaining power in negotiations with Saudi authorities and service providers. With early procurement, she believes Indonesia has a greater chance of securing quality services.

Mahdalena further emphasized that the approval of the down payment does not diminish the DPR’s oversight function. She requested that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah submit all supporting documents to Commission VIII as a measure of accountability and transparency in the use of the budget.

“We ask the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to submit all documents related to the down payment to the DPR as accountability. Oversight must ensure that the payment truly improves service quality for all Indonesian pilgrims,” she said.

The down payment transaction is conducted under a Government-to-Government (G-to-G) mechanism. All Hajj payments are now processed through the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's electronic payment system.

As a result, every country is required to deposit its down payment before being allowed to book services. Indonesia’s deadline is July 15, 2026, with a total transfer of around 828 million Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR), equivalent to approximately IDR 4 trillion.

Commission VIII of the DPR approved the plan to transfer the IDR 4 trillion down payment during a working meeting with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah at the DPR Building in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

The decision was also discussed in a hearing with the Head of the Executive Board and the Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH). (Misni Parjiati)