Government Forms Task Force to Prevent Illegal Hajj, Strengthening Oversight

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government, through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah together with the Indonesian National Police (Polri), will soon form a Task Force (Satgas) for Preventing Illegal Hajj to protect Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from illegal practices and fraudulent activities.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak stated that the formation of the task force is a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s directives to strengthen protection for pilgrims.

“We want to ensure that this year we must prevent illegal Hajj practices that may occur in the form of pilgrimages and preventions at airports through the police and also through immigration,” said Dahnil in Jakarta on Thursday.

He explained that in 2025, the government successfully prevented around 1,200 people from departing using non-Hajj visas. For this year, the government targets tighter oversight, including prevention at airports in collaboration with the police and immigration.

“The task force formed with the police will take firm legal action against fraud perpetrators,” said Dahnil.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo emphasised that the Hajj Task Force will be formed from the central to regional levels, involving various stakeholders.

According to him, the task force will prioritise preventive measures through public outreach to prevent people from becoming victims of scams using various methods by rogue Hajj travel operators.

Dedi revealed that in 2026, Polri handled 42 cases related to Hajj and Umrah fraud, with one case having entered the second stage of legal proceedings. The total losses from these cases amounted to approximately Rp92.64 billion.

In terms of prevention, during the 2025 Hajj implementation, authorities thwarted the departure of 1,243 people suspected of using non-procedural routes.

The task force will also strengthen international coordination, including with security apparatus in Saudi Arabia, and open a complaint service (hotline) for integrated case handling.

“We urge the public to be more cautious. Because these methods will continue to be carried out by groups, both legal and illegal, exploiting the situation,” he said.