Hajj Pilgrims Pay Rp 250 Million Each, Departure Fails Due to Alleged Illegal Process

TANGERANG, KOMPAS.com – The head of criminal investigation at Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Resort, Commissioner Yandri Mono, revealed that each prospective Hajj pilgrim in the alleged non-procedural or illegal Hajj case paid between Rp 200 million and Rp 250 million per person. However, the departure ultimately failed. As many as 51 prospective Hajj pilgrims were successfully prevented from departing through Soekarno-Hatta Airport for the 2026 Hajj organising. “And this information is currently being coordinated with experts from the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” Yandri said in his statement, quoted from Antara, Wednesday (6/5/2026). Currently, investigators from Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Resort are still examining several witnesses, including parties suspected of being involved in arranging the trip. “We are now investigating the witnesses. We are even currently summoning several people to take their statements,” Yandri said. This case is the result of an in-depth investigation after authorities foiled the departure of 51 Indonesian citizens suspected of intending to perform the Hajj pilgrimage illegally from April to early May 2026. In its practice, the pilgrims were provided with documents such as passports, iqomah, and Saudi Arabia entry-exit permits to appear as workers returning from leave. The uncovering of this case began with information about the planned departure of dozens of Indonesian citizens through the international Terminal 3 in early May 2026. From that group, seven people were reported to have departed earlier, while the rest were successfully prevented. The police emphasise that they will continue to coordinate with Immigration and related agencies to uncover the network behind this non-procedural Hajj practice, while preventing similar incidents from recurring.