Prabowo promises affordable Hajj cost for Indonesian Muslims

  President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the development of Indonesia's Hajj Village in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is intended to ensure an affordable Hajj pilgrimage for Indonesian Muslims.

"Every pilgrim will receive decent accommodations, do not worry. I promise the best services there, as I am also determined to reduce the Hajj cost for the Indonesian people," the president stated during Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) 100th-anniversary commemoration event in Malang, East Java

Before Muslim clerics and NU sympathizers, Prabowo said that Indonesia is privileged to have its own land lot for development in Mecca, considered the holiest city for Muslims.

Indonesia will develop the "Hajj Village" for its Hajj and Umrah pilgrims on the land lot, he said, adding that such a scheme will ensure decent and affordable facilities for them.

The government will also work to ensure the best service quality for pilgrims who stay at the facility.

"In three years, we expect a decent Hajj Village to be completed. In the upcoming months, we will have 1,000 rooms for Indonesian pilgrims as we are determined to build more," Prabowo remarked.

Indonesia has won a bid to acquire a hotel and land in Mecca that will be developed into an Indonesian Hajj Village, a landmark deal enabled by changes in Saudi policy, according to Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi in January.

Hadi described the success as a result of "extraordinary diplomacy" by President Prabowo, which opened access to foreign asset ownership in Mecca.

Rosan Roeslani, CEO of Danantara Indonesia, which oversees strategic state investments, also confirmed the successful purchase of the Novotel Thakher Makkah hotel along with approximately five hectares of land to establish the Indonesian Hajj Village.

The hotel features 1,461 rooms across three towers and can accommodate 4,383 Indonesian pilgrims, providing centralized lodging during the annual Hajj season.

The government plans to add 13 towers, increasing total capacity to 6,025 rooms, alongside integrated facilities designed to improve comfort, efficiency, and services for Indonesian pilgrims.