JAKARTA, Thekabarnews.com—President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a complete review of Indonesia’s 2026 Hajj program. He instructed the government to improve services, reduce the cost of the pilgrimage, and develop new strategies to shorten the country’s long Hajj waiting list.

The meeting was held for 2.5 hours at his residence in Hambalang. It was chaired by Prabowo and attended by officials from the Ministry of Hajj. Members of the House of Representatives’ (DPR) Hajj Oversight Team also attended.

The discussions were about reviewing this year’s Hajj operations. They also focused on developing long-term reforms to make the pilgrimage system of Indonesia more efficient and sustainable.

The Hajj Oversight Team said during the meeting that the government has reduced the average cost of the Hajj pilgrimage by an average of Rp6 million in the past two years.

The budget efficiencies benefited nearly 200,000 Indonesian pilgrims. These efficiencies were part of larger initiatives to improve cost efficiency while maintaining service quality.

Officials also pointed out the considerable improvements in accommodation for regular Hajj pilgrims.

Approximately 17,000 Indonesian pilgrims stayed at five-star hotels in Zone 1 near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. These arrangements allowed for convenient access to one of the most sacred sites of Islam and enhanced the overall quality of the pilgrimage.

However, President Prabowo stressed that shortening the Hajj waiting period for Indonesia is still a top priority for the government.

Officials report that in many places, the average wait time has already decreased from 35-50 years to approximately 26 years.

Prabowo has instructed the relevant ministries to explore more policy options that may further shorten the queue.

“The President has asked us to find some new mechanisms that can drastically reduce the waiting period and also ensure fairness and transparency,” officials said after the meeting.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Gus Irfan said the government has also started preparing the framework for the 2027 Hajj cost structure. This is being done in coordination with the Parliament.

Policymakers attempt to anticipate the influence of global economic uncertainties, such as exchange rate volatility and changes in aviation fuel prices, on pilgrimage costs.

The government is also looking at how to maximize the planned Hajj Village (Kampung Haji) project. The goal is to lower the cost of accommodation for Indonesian pilgrims.

Officials believe the project will improve operational efficiency and provide more affordable accommodation for future Hajjs.

Indonesia sends one of the world’s largest Hajj contingents to Saudi Arabia every year. Therefore, efficient management of the pilgrimage program is a national priority.

The government has continued to implement reforms for improving services, transparency, and providing better facilities to pilgrims during their journey.

Prabowo reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the Hajj ecosystem by improving governance, infrastructure and budget management.

He also pointed out the necessity of ensuring that any future reforms benefit intending pilgrims directly. This should happen through lower costs and wider access.

In the meantime, as it continues its preparations for the 2027 Hajj season, the government plans to work closely with lawmakers and relevant stakeholders. They aim to finalize policy adjustments that will address operational challenges. At the same time, they wish to provide high standards of service for Indonesian pilgrims.

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