President Prabowo orders forensic audit of hajj financial management

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a forensic audit of hajj financial management by the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) to assess its condition and identify comprehensive improvements.

The instruction was conveyed to Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf and Deputy Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

“The president urged an immediate forensic audit of hajj financial management,” Dahnil told a news conference after the meeting.

The ministry will coordinate with relevant agencies, including the Finance and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), to conduct the audit, Dahnil said.

He said the audit was ordered to give the president an accurate picture of hajj finances and prevent misconduct, citing a recent scandal in Malaysia as a cautionary example.

Dahnil said the president also wants to ensure hajj management is free from fraudulent practices and cartels.

During the meeting, Prabowo also praised the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for improving hajj and umrah services and cracking down on practices that harm pilgrims.

Irfan said Prabowo instructed his ministry to eliminate cartels and fraudulent practices from the hajj and umrah ecosystem.

Prabowo also proposed a 52:48 split between costs paid directly by pilgrims (Bipih) and indirect subsidies for the 2027 Hajj Expenses (BPIH), to avoid overburdening pilgrims.

The proposal followed a report that hajj costs are expected to rise significantly next year.

Irfan said shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East have affected economic conditions, requiring adjustments to several cost components.

“In principle, the president said this must not burden pilgrims,” the minister said.