DIY Haji and Umrah Office to Form Task Force to Prevent Illegal Hajj Travel

The Kantor Wilayah (Kanwil) Haji dan Umroh of the Special Region of Yogyakarta is intensifying efforts to prevent non-procedural or illegal hajj travel. Speaking during the opening of a hajj orientation session held by PT Nur Ramadhan in Yogyakarta, Acting Head of the Regional Office Silvia Rosetti stated on Sunday (12/7) that 13 individuals had been successfully prevented by immigration officers at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) from undertaking illegal hajj journeys in 2026. She announced that a task force involving immigration, the Port Health Office (BKK), and other agencies would be formed to strengthen prevention. All documents will be scrutinised, and those without a valid hajj visa will be stopped. Silvia urged the public not to be tempted by cheap prices or promises of faster departures, emphasising that everything is governed by regulations. She explained that the prevention of non-procedural hajj travel is crucial because Saudi Arabia imposes sanctions, including fines of up to 20,000 riyal, on those caught without a proper hajj visa. The task force will be stationed at the airport, and even those attempting to transit through countries like Malaysia or Thailand will be detected. She noted that paying 300 million rupiah for a trip to Thailand during the hajj season would raise immediate suspicion. Silvia added that the first year of the hotel-based embarkation at YIA had been evaluated positively, though she apologised for any shortcomings during its inaugural implementation. She expressed hope that Yogyakarta’s hotel-based embarkation could become a pilot project and role model for efficiency in cost, time, and energy, while also providing comfort to pilgrims. Earlier, Silvia officiated the opening of the hajj orientation for pilgrims scheduled to depart in 2027 with PT Nur Ramadhan Internasional. The company’s President Director, Ust. Mifdhol Abdurrahman, said the orientation would be held 11 times to ensure pilgrims are well-prepared mentally, physically, and financially. He noted that 465 prospective pilgrims have already received their repayment calls for 2027, while 340 were dispatched in 2026. Regarding the potential impact of rising aviation fuel prices on hajj package costs, he acknowledged it would likely cause an increase but assured that the company would strive to maintain service quality and manage the price impact as best as possible.