January 21, 2026 | 05:31 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the movement of the Indonesian Rupiah exchange rate against the U.S. Dollar and Saudi Riyal does not impact the amount of the 2026 Hajj Cost (BPIH) to be paid by pilgrims. The government claims that the fluctuating exchange rates have been anticipated since the beginning by the Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH).
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Irfan Yusuf stated that the exchange rate issue has been a concern for the public. He mentioned that his ministry is not directly involved in managing exchange rate risks as it falls under the authority of BPKH. "The movement of the dollar and riyal against the rupiah has been anticipated by BPKH several months ago. We are not involved in that matter," said Irfan after a meeting with the House of Commission VIII at the MPR/DPR complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
This statement was made amid public concerns about the potential increase in Hajj expenses due to the weakening of the rupiah. The previous year, the BPIH had decreased by around Rp2 million, prompting questions about whether this trend could be sustained amidst exchange rate pressures.
Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak added that efforts to alleviate the burden of pilgrim expenses are also made through efficient spending, especially in the consumption category. This year, the pilgrims' consumption cost has been reduced from 40 riyals to 36 riyals per person daily. The breakdown is 10 riyals for breakfast, and 13 riyals for lunch and dinner each.
According to Dahnil, the price reduction does not compromise quality. On the contrary, he stated that the portion and quality of the food have been improved. "The quality has improved, but we have managed to lower the price because we ensure that the process is free from usury, corruption, and cashback," said Dahnil.
He emphasized that budget savings should no longer be allocated to activities unrelated to the Hajj. He said that all remaining funds must be returned to BPKH to prevent the opaque erosion of Hajj finances. To prevent deviations, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is advocating for the regulation of incentives for civil servants who successfully achieve efficiency.
Read: Rupiah Nears Rp17,000 per USD: LPEM UI Notes 3 Factors
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