TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto is pushing to further shorten the grueling waiting times for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims. This ambition was revealed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Head of the DPR Hajj Supervisory Team, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, following a meeting with the head of state at Prabowo's private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java.
Cucun stated that Prabowo is monitoring efforts to alleviate the backlog for hopeful pilgrims. Under Prabowo's administration, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah aims to standardize the waiting time for regular Hajj departures across all provinces to a baseline of approximately 26 years.
"He even mentioned earlier that if possible, we should expedite the process even further, [questioning] what kind of scheme could be drawn up to ensure this queue is not so long," Cucun told journalists in Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
During the Hambalang meeting, parliamentary representatives from Commission VIII and the Hajj Supervisory Team also presented their monitoring results regarding pilgrim departure mechanisms, including the enforcement of immigration protocols designed to prevent illegal departures.
In addition, Cucun highlighted that tangible upgrades to pilgrim accommodations stand out as one of the achievements of this year's Hajj management, drawing special attention from the administration.
"Now, nearly 17,000 regular pilgrims are being housed in Zone 1, directly around the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, staying in five-star hotels. We heard emotional testimonies from the pilgrims themselves, who said, 'Pak, we never imagined we would be given such good hotels, or that we would experience the Hajj from a five-star hotel not far from the mosque,'" Cucun shared.
Cucun went on to explain that improvements have also been made in catering services. According to the National Awakening Party (PKB) politician, the Ministry of Hajj successfully negotiated with supply companies to provide a more varied food menu that caters to the local palates of Indonesian pilgrims.
Cucun stated that President Prabowo has directed all relevant stakeholders to maintain these successful structural innovations while constantly evaluating areas that require refinement. Prabowo, Cucun noted, appreciated the cooperation and communication established between the government, through the Ministry of Hajj, and parliament throughout the execution of the 2026 Hajj season.
Read: Death of Elderly Pilgrim with Dementia Sparks Concern on Hajj Oversight
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Cancels Attendance at Russia-ASEAN Summit
6 jam lalu
Prabowo had bilateral meetings with President Vladimir Putin during his state visit to Moscow, Russia, last April.
Prabowo is the Problem
6 jam lalu
The market is punishing presidential policies that defy economic logic. It is time to put an end to wasteful government projects.
3 Demands Raised by Indonesian Women's Alliance in Jakarta Protest
8 jam lalu
The Women's Alliance of Indonesia will hold a protest at Jakarta's State Palace on Thursday, June 18, 2026, joined by at least 90 women's groups.
Why Can't Prabowo's MBG Program Be Halted, According to the Palace?
11 jam lalu
Muhammad Qodari, head of the Government Communication Bureau, said Prabowo's MBG program will continue despite growing criticism. Why?
Indonesian Women's Alliance to Hold Anti-MBG Protest Tomorrow
13 jam lalu
Alliance of Women in Indonesia demand temporary halt to the free nutritious meal program (MBG) to evaluate overall Prabowo's flagship project.
Muhammadiyah Leader Calls for Temporary Suspension of Prabowo's Free Meal Program
16 jam lalu
The Muhammadiyah chairperson has proposed that the free meal program (MBG) be temporarily suspended for a thorough evaluation.
India Keen to Bolster Ties with Indonesia Ahead Modi's Visit
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian cabinet secretary and Indian Ambassador Sandeep discuss the plan for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jakarta.
Prabowo's Hand in the Police Law Revision
1 hari lalu
The government and the House of Representatives passed revisions to the National Police Law. President Prabowo Subianto intervened in the drafting.
Qatari Emir Plans Visit to Indonesia by End of Year
1 hari lalu
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will visit Indonesia by the end of this year.
Why Did a UGM Forum With Prabowo's Ministers Turn Chaotic?
1 hari lalu
The UGM Student Union Alliance argued that discussions on Pancasila were misplaced amid unresolved national problems.
