Hajj Task Force Prevents Departure of 80 Indonesians Suspected of Illegal Hajj

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Task Force for Preventing Illegal Hajj has prevented 80 Indonesian citizens (WNI) suspected of intending to travel to Saudi Arabia for an illegal hajj at several airports. “Up to today, 80 enforcements have been carried out by immigration colleagues in various locations such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Kualanamu Medan, and Surabaya,” stated Secretary of the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organisational Development at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Rizka Anungnata, in Jakarta on Friday. This Hajj Task Force was formed through cross-agency collaboration involving the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Kemenimipas), and National Police Headquarters. Its objective is to serve as a strategic instrument in ensuring pilgrim protection as well as law enforcement against violations in hajj organisation. The organisation of hajj concerns not only worship aspects but also citizen protection, national image, and international trust. “In addition to supporting the Saudi Arabian government, we are also reflecting on past experiences; in every hajj organisation, there have been many incidents involving Indonesians attempting to perform hajj through non-procedural means,” said Rizka. “The regions carrying out delays at Soekarno-Hatta Airport involved 57 people, Medan five people, Surabaya 15, and Yogyakarta three people,” stated Tessar. According to him, this prevention demonstrates the state’s presence in protecting its citizens. Indonesian citizens must not be left stranded and become victims in Saudi Arabia, especially since only hajj visas are permitted for entry into the Makkah area. Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Subdirectorate III of the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation at National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Police Commissioner Pipit Subiyanto, added that during this hajj operational period, the police have received 95 initial reports. From these dozens of reports, some have completed the investigation process while others are still in follow-up. “We are investigating the motives and methods of non-procedural hajj. There are also cases being handled by provincial police commands,” he said. He urged Indonesian citizens to perform worship in accordance with regulations, not to force travel to Saudi Arabia for non-procedural hajj, and to comply with all government authorities. “We also urge the public to pay attention to the main matters, meaning to perform worship in accordance with regulations, standard operating procedures, and the authority of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Because all parties will be disadvantaged,” said Pipit.