Indonesia Intensifies Lobbying to Establish Hajj Village in Saudi Arabia

Jakarta: Indonesia has intensified lobbying efforts to advance plans for establishing an Indonesian Hajj Village in Saudi Arabia, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani said.

Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, Rosan said the initiative stemmed from President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Saudi Arabia in early May.

During the visit, Rosan accompanied President Prabowo in a direct meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where the President conveyed Indonesia’s aspiration to build a Hajj Village as the country with the world’s largest Muslim population.

“Alhamdulillah, over the past six months I have traveled to Saudi Arabia four times to follow up on this initiative,” Rosan said, quoted from Antara, Thursday, 18 December 2025.

According to him, the proposal received a positive response. On the same evening of the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally expressed his approval during a state dinner.

The agreement was later followed up at the end of July through an amendment to regulations governing property ownership by foreign institutions in Mecca and Medina, which are set to take effect in January.

Rosan, who also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Danantara, said the revised regulation provides a legal pathway for Indonesia to make direct investments related to the project.

Following this development, the Indonesian government coordinated with the Royal Commission for Makkah, the Saudi authority responsible for managing land sales in Mecca.

He explained that the land acquisition process followed a strict bidding mechanism. Eight plots were offered, and Indonesia selected plot number six due to its relatively flat contour and strategic location.

Competition for the plot was intense, with around 90 bidders vying for the same site.

Despite the competition, Rosan said Indonesia has successfully passed a critical initial stage. The government, through Danantara, has signed a conditional sales and purchase agreement.

“Indonesia has taken the first step. Alhamdulillah, we have signed a conditional sales and purchase agreement for the acquisition,” Rosan said.