Immigration Intercepts 80 Indonesians Attempting Illegal Hajj
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Deputy Head of the Sub-Directorate for Domestic Cooperation and International Organisations at the Directorate General of Immigration, Tessar Bayu Setyaji, explained that Indonesian immigration has delayed the departure of 80 Indonesian citizens suspected of intending to perform Hajj non-procedurally through monitoring at 14 airports.
The details are as follows: 57 delays at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, 5 at Kualanamu, 15 at Juanda, and 3 at Yogyakarta International Airport. Additionally, there were 55 new attempts at non-procedural Hajj and 2 individuals identified as subjects of interest to be followed up with the National Police and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
“This task force strengthens each other. We at Immigration are carrying out our role to the maximum together with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the National Police so that the public is protected from various non-procedural Hajj schemes,” said Tessar, quoted from a Ministry of Religious Affairs press release on Saturday (9/5/2026).
Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of Sub-Directorate III of the Criminal Investigation Directorate at National Police Headquarters, KBP Pipit Subiyanto, emphasised that the National Police supports the task force’s work through prevention, guidance, and law enforcement. The Criminal Investigation Directorate has received 95 initial reports, some of which have been handled and others still in the process of follow-up.
“We urge the public to perform Hajj worship in accordance with the Ministry of Religious Affairs regulations. Do not fall for the tricks of irresponsible parties,” stressed Pipit.
The Secretary of the Directorate General for Hajj and Umrah Organisational Development at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Rizka Anungnata, emphasised that the Saudi Arabian Government only permits Hajj worship with official Hajj visas. Therefore, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, together with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, continues to carry out prevention efforts so that the public does not become victims.
“Hajj worship is only permitted with a Hajj visa. Anything outside of that is not allowed. This task force is a joint effort to protect the public from non-procedural Hajj practices,” said Rizka at the Hajj Media Centre, Jakarta, on Friday (8/5).
Rizka conveyed that the task force has conducted prevention and law enforcement activities in several regions, including Jakarta, Medan, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. This step is important considering that every year there is still a potential for nearly 20,000 non-procedural Hajj cases.
Therefore, the Ministry of Religious Affairs reminds the public not to be tempted by offers to perform Hajj with non-Hajj visas, fast tracks, or unofficial packages. Hajj worship must be carried out through legal mechanisms so that pilgrims are safe, orderly, and protected.