Purwakarta, September 29, 2026 — The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has launched a formal intervention into alleged financial and procedural irregularities involving a Hajj and Umrah Guidance Group (KBIHU) in Purwakarta, West Java. The investigation centres on the suspected misappropriation of dam (penalty) payments and the execution of fictitious badal haji (proxy Hajj) services, with potential losses reaching hundreds of millions of rupiah.
The probe was triggered by findings from the Hajj Pilgrim Protection team (Linjam) stationed in Makkah during the 1447 H/2026 M Hajj season. Clarification hearings were held with the chairman of the KBIHU, identified by the initials AF, at the Purwakarta District Prosecutor’s Office on September 24–25, 2026.
The Dam Payment Discrepancy
One of the central issues under investigation is the mechanism by which pilgrims paid their dam obligations. Under Circular Letter No. S-50/BN/2026, pilgrims are directed to channel dam payments of 720 Saudi Riyals (SAR) through the official Adahi project, a meat utilisation programme managed by the Saudi Arabian government.
According to Rudi Nurudin Ambary, Director of Regular Hajj Supervision at Kemenhaj, 93 pilgrims from Purwakarta initially handed over the full 720 SAR amount. However, preliminary findings indicate that only 10 pilgrims had their payments actually processed through the official Adahi mechanism. The remaining 83 pilgrims allegedly had their payments routed through a mukimin (Saudi-based resident) identified as AD, at a reduced rate of 460 SAR per pilgrim.
The discrepancy of 260 SAR per pilgrim—amounting to approximately 21,580 SAR in total for the 83 affected individuals—is now a focal point of the investigation, with authorities examining whether the difference constituted an unauthorised profit margin.
Fictitious Badal Haji Allegations
Kemenhaj is also investigating suspected irregularities in the execution of badal haji services. The chairman of KBIHU AF is alleged to have accepted proxy Hajj commissions from 104 individuals, charging each a fee of Rp 9 million. However, the actual execution of these proxy pilgrimages in the Holy Land was reportedly delegated to another mukimin, identified as FS, at a cost of only Rp 4 million per person.
The Rp 5 million difference per pilgrim has raised serious concerns. If the provisional data is confirmed, the total financial discrepancy from the 104 commissions would reach approximately Rp 520 million. Beyond the financial aspect, Kemenhaj is also investigating whether the badal haji rituals were performed in accordance with Sharia requirements, as there are indications the services may not have been carried out as promised to the pilgrims
Potential Criminal Liability
While Kemenhaj’s examination remains focused on the administrative and regulatory aspects of Hajj service delivery, Director Rudi Nurudin Ambary has indicated that the alleged violations could escalate into criminal proceedings. The case is currently being handled by investigators from the West Java Regional Police (Polda Jabar).
Kemenhaj has emphasised that all findings remain provisional and that no final conclusions regarding culpability have been reached. The ministry continues to gather testimony and documentary evidence from all parties involved.
The Purwakarta case is part of a broader pattern of dam and badal haji irregularities uncovered during the 2026 Hajj season, which earlier saw allegations of fictitious proxy Hajj involving 140 pilgrims and total financial irregularities exceeding Rp 1.4 billion
