Indonesian Ombudsman Praises Successful 2026 Hajj Organization, Notes Areas for Improvement

The Indonesian Ombudsman has lauded the Ministry of Haji and Umrah for its successful management of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. This year's Hajj marked a significant organizational shift, being the first to operate under a newly established institutional framework that separates the Ministry of Religious Affairs from the dedicated Ministry of Haji and Umrah.

Ombudsman RI member Nuzran Joher expressed gratitude to all parties involved in ensuring the smooth oversight of the pilgrimage. He highlighted the new structure as a key aspect of improved Hajj governance. The Ombudsman's office, including its main VII division for Human Development and Culture and its 34 provincial representatives, participated in the oversight.

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This step is one form of governance change in the organization of Hajj.

Despite the overall smooth execution, the Ombudsman identified several areas for improvement based on public feedback and its own findings. These include concerns about the transparency of Hajj officer recruitment, with allegations of delayed responses to complaints regarding the selection process for Saudi Arabian Hajj organizing officers. Additionally, issues were raised concerning pilgrims who were unable to depart for the Holy Land, a matter deemed critical due to its impact on public service rights.

Further findings pointed to deficiencies in embarkation facilities, specifically at the Batam Hajj Embarkation Dormitory. Problems with non-optimal functioning of toilets and bathrooms reportedly led to queues and diminished comfort for pilgrims. These observations are intended to serve as valuable feedback for future Hajj service evaluations.

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