Ministry of Hajj: Three Indonesians Arrested in Saudi Arabia Were Support Staff Recruited in Jeddah

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has confirmed that the three Indonesian citizens (WNI) arrested by Saudi Arabian security forces in Mecca were not hajj officials recruited from Indonesia. The three are known to hold the status of support staff recruited by the Hajj Affairs Office (KUH) in Jeddah.

Director General of Hajj and Umrah Control at Kemenhaj, Harun Al-Rasyid, explained that the three Indonesian citizens are currently undergoing a closed examination by Saudi authorities. Therefore, Kemenhaj is still delving into the case.

“Information obtained indicates that they are support staff. This support staff is not from Indonesia, but from mukimin who have long resided in Saudi Arabia,” said Harun when met after an audience with Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday (30/4/2026).

According to Harun, support staff consist of Indonesians who have long resided in Saudi Arabia and possess official residence permits or iqamah.

They are usually recruited locally to assist in hajj service operations, such as bridging communication with Saudi parties, hotel managers, catering, or transportation providers.

“Well, they are indeed to help because there they might have broader communication with Saudi parties, with hotel owners, with kitchens, with transportation,” said the man from Madura.