Immigration Tightens Surveillance to Prevent Illegal Hajj Practices
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Kemenimipas) is tightening surveillance at airports as a preventive measure against illegal Hajj practices or the departure of prospective non-procedural Hajj pilgrims.
The Director General of Immigration of Kemenimipas, Hendarsam Marantoko, stated in an official release in Jakarta on Wednesday that all immigration officers at embarkation and debarkation airports have been mobilised to provide optimal services for Indonesian prospective Hajj pilgrims.
“We have instructed all units at every embarkation airport to provide the best services for our prospective Hajj pilgrims. We are also fully committed to tightening surveillance against prospective non-procedural Hajj pilgrims,” he said.
He noted that immigration service readiness covers 14 main embarkation airports, from Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport (Banda Aceh) to Yogyakarta Airport (YIA).
Immigration has deployed personnel and supporting infrastructure, including automatic gate facilities (autogate) at high-volume airports such as Kualanamu (KNO), Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), Juanda (SUB), and others, to expedite immigration checks for departures and returns of around 221,000 pilgrims.
“This step is our effort to protect the public from document misuse practices and illegal departure schemes that harm the pilgrims themselves,” he said.
“Their names will be entered into the Subject of Interest (Sol) application by our officers during the Hajj season, so they cannot attempt to depart from other airports,” he added.
To date, 13 Indonesian citizens suspected of attempting to depart for Hajj non-procedurally or without Hajj visas have been prevented from leaving by Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration.
Hendarsam stated that his side is ready to escort the 2026 Hajj implementation, as a follow-up to the formation of the Hajj Task Force initiated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah together with Kemenimipas and the National Police in eradicating illegal Hajj practices.
Synergy
He added that synergy between agencies is the key to the success of this year’s Hajj implementation.
Subsequently, the second wave will be departed to Jeddah starting from 7 to 21 May 2026.
The Directorate General of Immigration ensures that all document inspection procedures run efficiently in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
“We are here for the people, as partners ensuring that the journey of Allah’s guests proceeds safely, comfortably, and with dignity,” he said.
“However, we strongly urge the public not to be easily tempted by offers to depart for Hajj through illegal channels. Do not mortgage your safety and certainty of worship. Use the official channels set by the government so that the worship proceeds peacefully, safely, and legally,” he said.