13 Indonesians Blocked from Hajj After Paying Rp300 Million

Immigration officials at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali, have blocked the departure of 13 individuals suspected of attempting to perform Hajj through non-procedural, or illegal, means. Their Hajj aspirations have been thwarted, despite each having paid up to Rp 300 million. AKP R. Ritonga, Head of Criminal Investigations at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police Resort, disclosed the results of the investigation into the illegal Hajj applicants. They admitted registering with certain parties for fees ranging from hundreds of millions of rupiah, whereas the standard Hajj cost is approximately Rp 87 million and the ONH Plus package ranges from Rp 197 million to Rp 720 million. “During the ongoing investigation, the applicants stated they had registered with intermediaries offering Hajj packages priced between Rp 250 million and Rp 300 million per person,” he said on Sunday (24 May 2026). From Bali to Malaysia. The investigation revealed they were instructed to gather in Bali first before being flown to Malaysia, from where their journey would continue to Saudi Arabia. Police also secured evidence including 13 Indonesian passports, two Malaysia Airlines booking confirmations, and 12 Saudi Arabian iqama photo documents. Some applicants also admitted previously performing Umrah using work visas, after which they were directed to obtain iqamas—official residence permits in Saudi Arabia—allegedly for use in performing haji dakhili (domestic Hajj) for residents. The identities of the interviewed applicants are initials R, Mj, S, H, AR, ARd, O, AH, Mu, HK, NM, MS, and N. They hail from various regions including Banyuwangi, Sidoarjo, Denpasar, Kulon Progo, and Makassar. Police Pursue Organisers. The 13 illegal Hajj applicants have since been sent back to their respective hometowns, while police continue to hunt for those suspected of organising the trip. IpdA I Gede Suka Artana, Public Affairs Officer at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police Resort, stated the applicants were sent back independently. “For now, the 13 illegal Hajj applicants have been sent back to their hometowns independently,” he said on Sunday. The Criminal Investigation Unit at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police Resort is continuing its investigation to uncover those involved in the alleged illegal Hajj organisation. Police are also coordinating with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Police Hajj Task Force. “Those suspected of organising or facilitating the trip remain under investigation and pursuit by officers,” he explained. Artana also urged the public to be cautious of illegal Hajj offers outside official government channels. “The public is advised to verify that travel agencies and Hajj organisers hold valid official permits. Avoid being lured by promises of quick departures without clear procedures, as this could lead to financial losses,” he added. Previously reported, 13 Indonesians were detained at the International Departure Terminal of Ngurah Rai International Airport by the Special Class I Immigration Office on Friday (22 May 2026) over suspected illegal Hajj attempts. Suspicion arose after immigration officials found discrepancies in the travellers’ statements regarding their purpose of travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their departure was blocked under Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration and Regulation No. 9 of 2024 by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights regarding immigration checks for those entering or exiting Indonesia.