Authorities Thwart 80 Indonesians Suspected of Planning Illegal Hajj
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Indonesia, together with the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services and the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency, have thwarted the departure of 80 Indonesian citizens (WNI) suspected of intending to perform Hajj illegally.
“Immigration has delayed the departure of 80 WNI suspected of undertaking non-procedural Hajj through monitoring at 14 airports,” stated the Deputy Head of the Sub-Directorate for Domestic and International Cooperation and Organisations of the Directorate General of Immigration, Tessar Bayu Setyaji, in a press statement on Friday (8/5/2026).
Additionally, there were 55 new attempts at non-procedural Hajj, as well as two individuals identified in connection with these illegal actions, who are being examined by the authorities.
“We at Immigration are carrying out our role to the maximum in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and the Police to protect the public from various non-procedural Hajj schemes,” said Tessar.
Therefore, the Ministry of Hajj, together with the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services and the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency, are conducting preventive measures to ensure the public does not become victims.
“The performance of Hajj worship is only permitted with a Hajj visa. Anything outside of that is not allowed. This task force is a joint effort to protect the public from non-procedural Hajj practices,” stated Rizka.
Rizka conveyed that the task force is carrying out preventive and law enforcement activities in several regions, including Jakarta, Medan, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya.
This prevention is being undertaken given that every year there is still a potential for nearly 20,000 cases of non-procedural Hajj.
“We remind the public not to be tempted by offers to perform Hajj with non-Hajj visas, fast-track routes, or unofficial packages. The performance of Hajj worship must be carried out through legitimate mechanisms so that pilgrims are safe, orderly, and protected,” she emphasised.