Departure of 89 Prospective Illegal Pilgrims Delayed by Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office
The Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office has delayed the departure of 89 prospective pilgrims suspected of attempting to perform Hajj illegally using work visas or Iqomah permits. These pilgrims were reportedly trying to enter Saudi Arabia using these types of visas.
The delay was implemented because the Immigration Office suspected that there were attempts to perform the pilgrimage illegally, as stated by the Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, Galih Perdhana.
“Regarding non-procedural Hajj, as may have been conveyed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Hajj must be performed using a Hajj visa and be registered. Currently, specifically at Soekarno-Hatta, we have delayed the departure of 89 people,” said Galih at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Sunday (17/5), as reported by Detik.
Previously, there had already been 32 people whose departures to Saudi Arabia were delayed. They used various reasons to reach the country in order to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage.
“The methods vary, but generally they use work visas or Iqomah, which may give the impression that they have been living there. However, ultimately, their main goal is Hajj,” Galih said.
The monitoring of prospective illegal pilgrims is carried out by a joint task force involving the Immigration Office, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police, and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Galih hopes that this measure can filter out individuals who depart for Hajj illegally.
“With the assistance of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, we are working together in a task force, and currently, at Soekarno-Hatta alone, we have delayed the departure of 89 people. Hopefully, this will also provide optimal filtering,” Galih said.
He also explained that prospective illegal pilgrims usually fly using commercial aircraft, with the departure process often occurring at Terminals 2 and 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
“So they use regular flights, commercial flights at T2 or T3. They may travel to Korea or Malaysia first, then go to their place of work. From there, they apply for a visa,” Galih explained.