Government Stands Firm on Independent Umrah legalization
The Indonesian government, through the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, reaffirmed that the move to legalize independent Umrah is a deliberate and unavoidable step. He described the opposition from business associations as a normal response to change, but emphasized that Law Number 14 of 2025 on the Organization of Hajj and Umrah codifies the government’s direction to allow individuals to undertake independent Umrah under regulated conditions.
Speaking at the Complex of the People’s Consultative Assembly in Jakarta on Monday, October 27, 2025, Dahnil acknowledged concerns among entrepreneurs who fear losing pilgrims. He urged all stakeholders to stay informed about policy developments, noting that Saudi Arabia had already opened opportunities for independent Umrah even before the Indonesian law revision was enacted. He framed the legalization as a protective measure for pilgrims, aligning Indonesia’s regulations with Saudi policies to safeguard participants’ rights.
Protecting pilgrims and modernizing the process
Dahnil highlighted a practical consequence of the new law: the ability for anyone to register for independent Umrah using digital identification cards. He urged Umrah service providers or PPIUs (Indonesian Umrah and Hajj travel organizers) to adapt to the digital era and keep pace with evolving expectations. “Young people like all of you, including me as a young person, can manage the process themselves, and it cannot be stopped,” the Gerindra Party politician remarked, signaling a shift toward more autonomous travel arrangements for pilgrims.
The deputy minister emphasized that the government’s priority is to protect pilgrims while ensuring compliance with Saudi regulations. The policy, he said, intends to shield participants from potential exploitation and to foster a safer, more efficient travel framework. This approach also reflects a broader aim to create a level playing field where independent Umrah operators operate within clear rules rather than in an unregulated space.
Implications for service providers and safeguards against risk
Dahnil acknowledged that the market will become more competitive with open access to independent Umrah. To manage this transition, he stated that authorities would tighten controls to prevent moral hazards. One example cited is a provision in Law 14/2025 that prohibits mobilizing others to perform Umrah without a PPIU permit, effectively criminalizing unauthorized activities. By integrating such safeguards from the outset, the government intends to protect pilgrims during the early stages of the new arrangement.
Opposition voices surface: legal challenges loom
Nur Faizin, chairman of the Amanah Umrah and Hajj Association of Indonesia, voiced strong objections to the independent Umrah framework. He told reporters that the legalization, as written in Law 14/2025, could be challenged before the Constitutional Court. “We, along with 13 other associations, are currently discussing this (a lawsuit to the Constitutional Court),” Faizin said on October 27, 2025.
Faizin warned of several perceived negatives should independent Umrah be implemented without sufficiently mature regulations. He flagged potential abuse of the program by Indonesians seeking to travel to Arabia for work, a perceived lack of safety guarantees for independent Umrah pilgrims, and the risk to the livelihood of PPIUs who have long supported the Hajj ecosystem. He argued that while government decisions may reflect Saudi policy, Indonesia should maintain its own stance and continue to regulate Umrah travel through established channels rather than acquiesce to external dictates.
Looking ahead: a balance between opportunity and regulation
The ministry’s message to the industry is clear: embrace modernization while maintaining robust protections for pilgrims. Dahnil stressed that the government will respond to Saudi policy dynamics and adjust Indonesian regulations accordingly, but will not abandon its duty to safeguard travelers. For the sector, this means ongoing adaptation, closer compliance with licensing and digital registration, and proactive risk management.
As Indonesia navigates this policy shift, stakeholders will watch closely how the Constitutional Court review unfolds and how PPIUs recalibrate their offerings in a more open, technology-enabled Umrah market. The debate underscores a broader tension in travel regulation: enabling growth and autonomy for pilgrims while preserving safety, ethics, and the sustainability of service providers.
Editor’s note
For readers tracking the evolution of Indonesia’s Umrah policy, the conversation continues to center on ensuring pilgrims’ rights, aligning with Saudi regulations, and maintaining a fair competitive landscape for service providers. The government’s next steps will likely focus on refining enforcement mechanisms and expanding digital tools to support trustworthy independent Umrah journeys.
