Citizens without proper visa cannot perform Hajj, minister says

“If they do not use a Hajj visa, I am sure that even if they manage to get there (Saudi Arabia), they will not be able to perform the Hajj pilgrimage,” Yusuf said at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, here on Wednesday.

The statement was made in response to 13 Indonesian citizens who were prevented by the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections on suspicion of attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia through non-procedural means or without a Hajj visa.

Yusuf stressed that a Hajj visa is the main requirement for pilgrims to officially perform the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

He said the government continues to remind the public not to illegally travel without a Hajj visa, as it poses safety risks, prevents participation in the pilgrimage activities, and violates the regulations.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has tightened supervision at airports as a preventive measure against illegal Hajj departures.

Director General of Immigration at the ministry, Hendarsam Marantoko, said all immigration officers at embarkation and debarkation airports are ready to provide optimal services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.

“We have instructed all personnel at each embarkation airport to provide the best service for our Hajj pilgrims. We are also fully committed to tightening supervision of non-procedural prospective pilgrims,” he said.

Previously, Minister Irfan, together with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, saw off the departure of the first group of Banten Embarkation Hajj pilgrims (JKB 01), totaling 391 people.

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Translator: Asep, Kenzu