Illegal Hajj Pilgrims to Face Fines and Travel Bans

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services has revealed a series of sanctions for Indonesian pilgrims proven to have departed for the Hajj pilgrimage illegally.

“Pilgrims who travel illegally can be caught and sentenced to penalties in the form of fines or long-term travel bans,” stated Assistant Deputy for Coordinating Immigration Governance, Achmad Brahmantyo Machmud, in a press statement on Saturday (4/4/2026).

Achmad explained that Hajj pilgrims can evade detection and depart for Saudi Arabia illegally by paying Rp 100 million.

Illegal Hajj, according to Achmad, typically involves the misuse of visas, including the use of work visas for Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage purposes.

To prevent such incidents, he emphasised the importance of forming a joint inter-ministerial team to systematically curb illegal Hajj or Umrah practices.

The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has ultimately strengthened airport surveillance to prevent illegal Hajj departures in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services (Kemenko Kumham Imipas).

Secretary of the Directorate General for Hajj and Umrah Management Control at Kemenhaj, Achmad Gunawan, stated that Kemenhaj has requested coordination for data exchange with Kemenko Kumham Imipas.

“We will follow the task force team from Kemenko, because if we act independently, our strength will be more limited,” said Gunawan.