Hajj Ministry Addresses Food Distribution Delay for Indonesian Pilgrims in Mina

Indonesian Hajj pilgrims from Bangkalan, who were part of the SUB-72 flight group, faced a delay in receiving their food rations while in Mina, Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred on the first day of their arrival in Mina, Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

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The food that should have been handed over to the consumption supervisors to then be distributed to the pilgrims, was instead placed directly by the syarikah in the middle of the alley area without notification to the responsible officers.

According to Ichsan Marsha, spokesperson for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, an investigation revealed a procedural discrepancy. The 'syarikah' responsible for food distribution reportedly placed the rations in a central area without notifying the designated consumption supervisors. This lack of proper handover, evidenced by the absence of distribution receipt documents, made it difficult for supervisors to track which groups had received their meals.

To rectify the situation, consumption supervisors conducted direct checks at each tent, distributing food to the groups that had not yet received it. This process, which involved thorough verification and redistribution, took until the afternoon to complete. Ichsan emphasized that the delay was not due to a lack of food but a breakdown in the distribution protocol.

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The problem was not caused by the unavailability of food, but by an error in the distribution procedure in the field.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has since coordinated with the 'syarikah' to evaluate and improve the distribution procedures. The goal is to ensure that all food distribution is conducted according to protocol, including clear notification to supervisors and proper documentation, to prevent similar issues in future service phases. The ministry also commended the swift response of the on-site staff in resolving the matter.

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We have asked the syarikah to ensure all consumption distribution is carried out according to procedure, including notification to consumption supervisors and clear recording of handover.