Parliament Calls for Legal Action Against Three Indonesians Involved in Illegal Hajj in Mecca

Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Abidin Fikri, has called for three Indonesian citizens (WNI) arrested in connection with alleged illegal Hajj practices in Mecca to be prosecuted. He urged the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah to closely monitor the case’s developments. “Ensuring a fair legal process for the involved Indonesians and taking firm action if the perpetrators are indeed Indonesian Hajj officials by revoking their PPIH status, repatriating them to the homeland, and processing them legally,” Abidin stated in a written remark on Thursday (30/4). He supported the firm actions by Saudi authorities to eradicate fraudulent practices that harm prospective pilgrims. “Commission VIII has always emphasised that Hajj must go through official channels, whether regular Hajj visas or special Hajj, for the safety, security, and validity of performing the Hajj pilgrimage,” he said. Abidin stressed the importance of compliance with official Hajj regulations to uphold the honour of the Muslim community and bilateral relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. “The government must continue coordinating with Saudi authorities while providing massive socialisation to Indonesians to avoid illegal Hajj offers that lead to severe sanctions such as deportation or imprisonment,” he added. According to CNN Indonesia TV, Saudi police arrested the three Indonesians in Mecca for their suspected involvement in an illegal Hajj fraud syndicate. The perpetrators are alleged to have placed misleading advertisements on social media to attract prospective pilgrims without official permits.