Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf Responds to Criticism Over Family Appointments
Menteri Haji dan Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, commonly known as Gus Irfan, defended the appointment of his two sons as expert staff members within his ministry following widespread public scrutiny on social media, CNN Indonesia reported. The appointments involving Barbarossa Muhammad Farros and Gibran Muhammad Fawwaz drew criticism regarding transparency, professionalism, and potential conflicts of interest.
Gus Irfan explained that the staffing arrangements originated during the formation of the Hajj Organizing Body (BP Haji) in late 2024. According to his account, he and Deputy Minister Dahnil took office without an established staff or operational facilities, prompting family members and religious students to volunteer their time without pay for three to four months.
Volunteer Origins and Staffing Shortages at the New Ministry
Gus Irfan stated that after the initial volunteer phase concluded, select individuals transitioned into official expert staff roles while others returned to their respective communities. He emphasized that the recruitment remained well below authorized limits, noting that while he was entitled to three special staff members and five expert assistants, he appointed only one special staff member and four experts.
The ministry faced severe personnel shortages while tasked with organizing the initial Hajj pilgrimage under a newly established organizational structure. According to internal job analyses for 2026, the ministry required 7,000 employees but possessed only 3,200 personnel, or less than half of its total operational needs. To bridge the gap, the agency deployed outsourced workers and mobilized resources across regional offices, including in East Java, where seven district offices were forced to operate under dual leadership.
Public Backlash and Calls for Accountability
The appointments prompted strong reactions from academic and political figures. Professor Saiful Mujani of UIN Jakarta criticized the decision on social media, writing that appointing family members as advisors to a government ministry raises serious questions regarding governance and public trust. Meanwhile, Aqil Maulidan, the Head of Politics and Government for the Executive Board of the Indonesian Muslim Students Union (PB SEMMI), publicly urged the minister to resign, demanding full transparency regarding qualifications, selection procedures, and the budget allocated for the positions.
What Is the Legal Basis for the Appointment of the Expert Staff?
What is the legal basis for the appointment of the expert staff?
The appointments are based on Ministerial Decree Number 3 of 2026, which governs the selection of expert staff within the Ministry of Haji and Umrah.
How many positions were actually filled compared to the maximum allowed quota?
While authorized to appoint three special staff members and five expert assistants, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf appointed only one special staff member and four expert assistants.
What measures is the ministry taking to resolve its staffing shortages?
The ministry is currently operating with approximately 4,000 personnel against a projected need of 7,000, utilizing temporary outsourced workers while actively processing new civil servant placements and conducting administrative briefings.
“We can’t hire new civil servants, we’re waiting for new positions,” Gus Irfan stated regarding the limitations on permanent hiring.
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