Polri Establishes Hajj Task Force Targeting Illegal Hajj Perpetrators and Bogus Travel Agencies
Polri headquarters has established a Hajj Task Force in conjunction with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Polri’s Head of Public Relations Division, Inspector General Eddizon Isir, stated that the task force will focus on eradicating illegal Hajj activities and bogus travel agencies to safeguard prospective pilgrims from fraud.
Isir explained that Polri will collaborate with other relevant institutions, from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Immigration to Saudi Arabian authorities.
“Polri’s role in the Hajj Task Force is highly strategic, encompassing prevention, operational security, and law enforcement against various violations,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday (15/4).
Therefore, he added, the crackdown on illegal or non-procedural Hajj practices that harm the public will be intensified. This is hoped to guarantee security and order during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Additionally, Isir said Polri will also address various fraud tactics employed by rogue travel operators, including promises of departure without queuing and the use of inappropriate visas.
“Polri’s primary focus in the Hajj Task Force includes eradicating illegal Hajj, protecting pilgrims from fraud, ensuring security and order, and dismantling networks of rogue travel agencies,” he clarified.
In its implementation, he stated that Polri through the Hajj Task Force will conduct oversight of Hajj travel bureaux.
Information on ‘Hajj Without Queuing’
Furthermore, Isir said the task force will investigate public reports regarding the existence of ‘Hajj without queuing’.
Not only that, Isir added that security measures will also be implemented at critical points such as Hajj dormitories, airports, and during the departure and return processes for pilgrims.
He assured that supervision will be carried out in layers, from the administrative stage to the departure process. He emphasised that Hajj worship can only be conducted through the regular Hajj channel managed by the Ministry of Hajj or special Hajj through licensed PIHK.
“Polri will enforce the law against violations, starting from investigations and prosecutions of cases involving illegal travel agencies, pilgrim fraud, and document forgery,” he asserted.
Threat of Criminal Penalties for Non-Procedural Hajj
Isir explained several violations that can result in criminal charges, including dispatching pilgrims without permission, lacking PIHK authorisation, organising Hajj without official quotas, and committing fraud.
Additionally, visa misuse and misappropriation of pilgrim funds are also serious concerns for law enforcement authorities.
“Rogue Hajj travel agencies can face criminal penalties. In many cases, the sanctions are quite severe because they involve fraud and violations in organising Hajj worship,” he stated.
Previously, Polri headquarters and the Ministry of Hajj-Umrah formed the Hajj Task Force to protect prospective pilgrims from illegal Hajj practices to fraud.
The cooperation to establish the Hajj Task Force was signed by Deputy Chief of Polri, Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo, and Deputy Minister of Hajj, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, on Thursday (9/4).
Dedi said the formation of the task force aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives to provide comprehensive protection for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
He mentioned that the Hajj Task Force will be responsible for dissemination, prevention, and legal action against perpetrators of fraud and illegal Hajj.