Indonesia's Hajj Ministry seeks extra staff, facilities in Papua Barat

The regional office of Indonesia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Papua Barat asked the central ministry for additional human resources, citing that its current 86 civil servants and contract workers are insufficient to serve the two provinces of Papua Barat and Papua Barat Daya. The office requested increased allocations for civil servant and contract positions, continuation of the four‑storey Transit Hajj Hostel in Sorong, and the creation of a dedicated work unit in Teluk Wondama.

Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf visited Sorong for an evaluation of the 1447 Hijri (2026 CE) hajj program. He praised local staff but warned, "Masa puji‑pujian sudah selesai. Sekarang saatnya kita fokus pada evaluasi," urging a culture of honest, open assessment. The minister received input on staff strengthening, performance allowances, and central‑regional coordination, promising follow‑up actions through existing mechanisms.