Indonesia urges Umrah pilgrims to avoid transiting through S'pore & M'sia to support local economy

Indonesia has urged its Umrah pilgrims to avoid transiting through Singapore and Malaysia when travelling to Saudi Arabia, encouraging them to take direct flights on Indonesian airlines instead.

The recommendation is aimed at supporting Indonesia's aviation industry and boosting its domestic economy, according to Indonesia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Indonesia's Deputy Hajj and Umrah Minister Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak estimated that around 70,000 Indonesian Umrah pilgrims transit through Singapore and Malaysia.

He encouraged pilgrims to take direct flights and urged greater use of Indonesian airlines, including Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air.

Encouraging use of Indonesian airlines

The Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage for Muslims to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year, different from the Hajj, which is the mandatory pilgrimage that must be undertaken on specific dates.

According to Indonesia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Dahnil said the ministry had met with associations representing Umrah travel operators to encourage them to consider safety and economic factors when choosing flight routes.

“We have asked the associations to refrain from choosing transit flights through countries such as Malaysia and Singapore for now,” he said.

“If we can get the 70,000 people transiting via Malaysia and Singapore to use Indonesian airlines, that would help our national economy,” Dahnil added.

However, Dahnil acknowledged that Indonesian airlines would need to improve their services and offer competitive fares to attract more passengers.

“Garuda and Lion must improve their services. They should strengthen their position in the domestic market and remain competitive internationally,” he said.

Direct flights also considered safer

Apart from economic considerations, Dahnil claimed that direct flights to Saudi Arabia would also be safer for pilgrims, although he did not specify why.

"We advise pilgrims to choose direct flights rather than transit flights. It is safer to fly directly to Jeddah or Madinah. That is our recommendation," Dahnil said, according to Indonesia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Dahnil said Umrah activities in Saudi Arabia were continuing as usual despite tensions in the Middle East.

The ministry is also coordinating with Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor developments.

Separately, officials met with executives from Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air and airport operator Angkasa Pura to discuss improving Umrah flight services, including facilities at Hajj and Umrah terminals.

Dahnil said the government's approach was aligned with President Prabowo Subianto's emphasis on economic sovereignty.

“President Prabowo wants economic sovereignty, and the same should apply to Umrah and Hajj. Direct flights are safer and help strengthen economic sovereignty,” Dahnil said.

Around 2 million Indonesians perform Umrah annually

According to Jakarta Globe, around two million Indonesians perform the Umrah annually.

The country also sends up to 221,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj each year.

Singapore advises pilgrims to consider postponing Umrah

Meanwhile, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has advised Singaporeans planning to perform Umrah to consider postponing their trips to Saudi Arabia while security risks remain heightened.

As previously reported by Mothership, MUIS issued the advisory on Oct. 14, following the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' recommendation for Singaporeans to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia.

The advisory came amid increased missile and drone attacks targeting civilian aviation and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.