Ministry of Hajj and Umrah collaborates with Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services to prevent non-procedural Hajj

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) is collaborating with the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Kemenimipas) in efforts to prevent non-procedural Hajj practices through the Task Force for Preventing Illegal Hajj (Satgas Haji). Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf stated that the cross-ministerial collaboration is intended to strengthen supervision of pilgrims’ departures, particularly those not using official visas. “Earlier, we discussed that we are preparing the Hajj Task Force with our colleagues from the police, and we will also involve our Immigration colleagues on several matters,” he said after holding a meeting with Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Agus Andrianto in Jakarta on Wednesday. He explained that in the previous Hajj season, several Indonesian citizens were found to have travelled to Saudi Arabia without using Hajj visas. This certainly raises various issues, both from a legal perspective and in terms of pilgrim protection. In addition, the government is preparing preventive measures at departure locations, including airports. “We will strive to first educate them so they do not depart without using a Hajj visa, and secondly, we will prepare efforts that can assist them at the airport,” said Gus Irfan. Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Agus Andrianto hopes that the public will be aware of the potential legal and pilgrim protection issues if they insist on departing without proper procedures. “This is actually more about protection for them. We hope that our citizens do not end up stranded there because Saudi Arabia’s current policy does not permit entry except for those holding Hajj visas,” he said. Previously, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) will focus on eradicating illegal Hajj within the Hajj Task Force formed by the police together with Kemenhaj. Polri’s Head of Public Relations, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, said that Polri’s other focuses in this task force include protecting pilgrims from fraud, ensuring security and order, and uncovering networks of rogue travel agencies. “Polri’s assignment is integrated to ensure that the Hajj implementation runs safely, orderly, and free from illegal practices,” he said. He explained that in its implementation, Polri will carry out preemptive, preventive, and repressive functions (law enforcement) to handle illegal Hajj problems.