8 Prospective Pilgrims Using Non-Hajj Visas Thwarted at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

The Hajj Task Force, established by the National Police Headquarters in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, thwarted the departure of eight prospective pilgrims attempting to perform Hajj illegally or using non-Hajj visas at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Saturday (18/4).

“Alhamdulillah, on Saturday in the early hours, we have already carried out efforts to thwart and prevent Indonesian citizens from performing Hajj using non-Hajj visas,” said the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisational Control at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Harun Al Rasyid, after a meeting at Bareskrim Polri on Monday (20/4).

Harun explained that the prevention was achieved through cooperation between the Hajj Task Force and Immigration at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. He stated that they are currently conducting further investigations into the eight prospective Hajj pilgrims.

“Currently, we are conducting in-depth investigations regarding the mobilisation activities of these eight Indonesian citizens who were attempting to perform Hajj using non-Hajj visas,” he said.

Harun mentioned that investigations and enforcement actions will be taken against all parties involved in these violations, including travel agencies.

“Yes, all involved parties will certainly be investigated, and then we will analyse the connections between each of these parties,” he stated.

“Both the affected parties—certainly the pilgrims because they failed to leave Indonesia—then the travel agencies that were sending them off, and the responsible parties there; we will take enforcement actions against all of them,” he continued.

Harun explained that thwarting the departure of these eight prospective pilgrims is part of a joint operation ahead of the Hajj season to address violations and fraud.

Furthermore, Harun noted that his office has received numerous complaints regarding violations in Hajj and Umrah organisation. He said that up to 20 complaints are received daily.

He explained that the incoming complaints include incidents from last year’s Hajj and Umrah organisation as well as those planned for this period.

“Actually, around 95 cases have already been reported to the Ministry of Hajj, approximately no less than 15 to 20 per day; these are varied. There are remnants from last year related to regular Hajj, special Hajj, and also Umrah. Umrah holds the highest position in those reports,” he said.

On the same occasion, Deputy Head of Intelligence and Security, Inspector General Nanang Rudi Supriatna, stated that the Hajj Task Force is also collaborating with other ministries and agencies to conduct joint operations for prevention and enforcement.

One of the involved parties is the Ministry of Communication and Digital to anticipate promotions by problematic travel agents.

Nanang also said that the Hajj Task Force is open to the public to report immediately if they find or become victims of illegal Hajj organisation.

“Therefore, we urge the public that from Bareskrim, we also provide a complaint hotline through the number 0812-188-991-91,” Nanang concluded.