Mataram – The Chairman of the Indonesian Advocates Movement Council urged the Minister of Hajj and Umrah to be cautious in proposing the idea of a “Hajj Ticket War” as it could create injustice and unrest.

Speaking during the inauguration and swearing-in of new lawyers at the West Nusa Tenggara High Court, the Chairman reminded the Government not to easily propose ideas without thorough consideration and mature thought.

It was stated that the ‘Hajj Ticket War’ refers to the scramble for Hajj tickets outside the regular Hajj departure scheme. While the waiting period for regular Hajj can reach 10 to 20 years, the “Hajj Ticket War” would operate on a “first come, first served” basis.

According to the Chairman, the statement or idea from the Minister of Hajj could not only cause unrest but could also be dangerous and create injustice for two reasons.

First, the government’s implementation of the Hajj pilgrimage has often caused crucial problems and injured the sense of justice among prospective pilgrims. Several times in the past, officials responsible for Hajj affairs, namely several Ministers of Religion, have been implicated in corruption.

Ministers implicated in corruption cases related to Hajj implementation include Said Agil Husin Almunawar, Suryadharma Ali, and Yaqut Cholil Qoumas when the pilgrimage journey was managed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

According to the Chairman, the implementation of Hajj and Umrah journeys has often gone wrong, even victimizing thousands of people, and the government has neglected to find solutions.

For example, the First Travel case, which affected 63,000 pilgrims who failed to depart, and the government has not provided any solution since the Ministry of Religion was held by Lukman Hakim Syaifudin, Fachrul Razi, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Nazaruddin Umar, and up to the current Minister of Hajj.

Even assets from First Travel, which came from pilgrims’ money, were returned to the state, and the government remained silent. All those Ministers could do nothing, in other words, were powerless.

Another example is Abu Tours, whose number of victims also reached tens of thousands. There are no solutions for any of them, even though there is a state constitutional responsibility involved.

“Why do I say there is a state constitutional responsibility regarding the failure or non-departure of 63 thousand Umrah pilgrims? Because the Government must be just. First Travel is a Limited Liability Company that obtained a license from the Government and provided a guarantee deposit to the Government for sending Umrah pilgrims,” said the Chairman.

“But why does the Government wash its hands when problems arise? Why is the treatment different, for example, towards PT Lapindo whose victims were compensated by the Government. PT Bank Century and PT Jiwasraya were bailed out. But why were the victims of PT First Travel not compensated?” he added.

Second, the idea from the Minister of Hajj to introduce a “Hajj Ticket War” could create injustice and unhealthy competition because a scramble would occur, meaning whoever has money and connections would get the Hajj ticket. Exactly like scrambling for concert tickets, depending on who has money and connections.

The Chairman, who also serves as a lawyer for thousands of First Travel Umrah pilgrim victims, further urged the government to focus on improving the implementation of Hajj and Umrah in terms of regulations, human resources, institutions, and overall service.

“This is important so that pilgrims who will perform Hajj or Umrah are guaranteed safety, comfort, and in terms of health protection implementation, from their home country, during the journey to the holy land, until returning home,” he said.

In another part, he also reminded the lawyers to always maintain their mandate and integrity as law enforcers. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of strengthening basic legal knowledge, practical knowledge, competence, networking, and mental resilience in carrying out duties as a lawyer.

West Nusa Tenggara High Court

The West Nusa Tenggara High Court (Pengadilan Tinggi Nusa Tenggara Barat) is a judicial institution located in Mataram, Indonesia, serving as the appellate court for the province of West Nusa Tenggara. It was established as part of Indonesia’s national judicial system following the country’s independence, operating under the Supreme Court to review decisions from lower district courts within the region. Its history reflects the broader development of Indonesia’s modern legal framework in the post-colonial era.

Ministry of Religious Affairs

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is a government department responsible for overseeing and regulating religious activities, institutions, and harmony within a nation. Its history is tied to the modern state’s need to manage interfaith relations, protect religious freedom, and administer religious law, with specific founding dates and structures varying by country. For example, Indonesia’s ministry was established early in its independence to manage the world’s largest Muslim population, while Pakistan’s ministry was created to implement Islamic provisions in the state.

First Travel

“First Travel” does not correspond to a widely recognized specific place or cultural site. It could potentially be the name of a modern travel agency, a festival, or a local event. Without more specific context, it is not possible to provide a historical summary.

Abu Tours

“Abu Tours” is not a widely recognized historical or cultural site. It is most commonly the name of a travel agency or tour operator, often found in regions like Egypt or the Middle East, which organizes trips to famous landmarks. Therefore, it does not have a significant history of its own as a place, but rather facilitates visits to sites that do, such as the pyramids or ancient temples.

PT Lapindo

“PT Lapindo” refers to PT Lapindo Brantas, an Indonesian oil and gas company that became widely known due to a major industrial disaster. In 2006, a mud volcano known as **Lusi** began erupting in Sidoarjo, East Java, after a drilling operation; it is widely linked to the company’s activities. The ongoing flow submerged villages, displaced tens of thousands of people, and remains an environmental and social catastrophe, with debates about its cause and responsibility continuing.

PT Bank Century

PT Bank Century, originally founded in 1989 as Bank CIC, was a mid-sized Indonesian commercial bank. It became internationally known during the 2008 global financial crisis when it suffered a massive collapse due to alleged fraud and mismanagement, leading to a controversial government bailout that sparked a major political scandal in Indonesia. The bank was eventually taken over by regulators and its assets were transferred to what is now known as **Bank Mutiara** (later acquired by Bank Mandiri), effectively ending its operations under the Century name.

PT Jiwasraya

PT Jiwasraya is not a cultural site or place, but a state-owned Indonesian insurance company founded in 1859 during the Dutch colonial era. It is one of the oldest financial institutions in Indonesia, originally established to provide pensions for Dutch colonial officials. The company has faced significant financial difficulties and a major restructuring in recent years.