Indonesia DPR says PIHU law does not criminalize independent Umrah pilgrims

The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) affirmed during a material test hearing at the Constitutional Court that the 2019 Hajj and Umrah Law (UU PIHU) is not intended to criminalise pilgrims who undertake Umrah independently. Deputy chair Abdullah explained that the criminal provisions, specifically Articles 112, 115 and 122, target only unlicensed Umrah travel organizers (PPIU) and do not apply to individuals who accompany family or friends.

The DPR argued that the law upholds constitutional guarantees of freedom of worship and that recognizing independent Umrah in Article 86 reinforces this right. Judges of the Constitutional Court, including Enny Nurbaningsih, asked the DPR to submit the academic paper and discussion notes on the amendment, and to clarify the definition of “mandiri” (independent) and the role of service providers under the new framework.